took keen hold, tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well before 4 out until 4 out, soon ridden and found little, beaten next
tracked leader until led narrowly 5th (water) until 9th, chased leader until before 4 out, 2nd again 4 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead soon after, driven out
held up 4th, disputing close 3rd at 4th, mistake and reminder 11th, weakened before next, tailed off
led until narrowly headed 5th (water), led again 9th, joined 2 out, soon ridden and headed, kept on same pace run-in
Nonrunner
Gun Shy is only moderate over hurdles so it was a surprise to see him start off over fences in a Grade 2 at Kempton where he didn't run badly. Russborough looked as though he would be winning soon when runner-up at Catterick and started a short-priced favourite at Southwell where he jumped poorly. But he should be forgiven his latest effort at Bangor when badly impeded. Fourth Act was an expensive purchase and though he's shown only the occasional glimpse of ability over hurdles he was always more likely to be a chaser. Tom Neary also makes his chasing bow and he showed a bit more potential here in November though may need more testing conditions. BENENDEN (NAP), another chasing debutant, hasn't run for exactly a year but he's a winning point-to-pointer who was biding his time over hurdles before tackling the bigger obstacles. He looks to have plenty of scope and can take this before going on to better things.
Gun Shy (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, well outpaced 9th, remote 4th before 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, 28l behind Irish Saint (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Russborough (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Held up when badly hampered and nearly unseated rider, great recovery but soon pulled up, in a race won by Minella Forfitness (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 10 ran.
Fourth Act (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) With leader, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 10, 14l behind Prouts Pub (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Tom Neary (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, in touch halfway, outpaced when went left 3 out, went 3rd last, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Pull The Chord (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Benenden (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, effort when hung right from 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 16, 20l behind Simply A Legend (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar '14.
