tracked leader until hit 4th, remained in 3rd, blundered 7th, ridden and no chance with front pair from 3 out
held up, lost touch from 8th
tracked leaders, not fluent and went 2nd soon after 5th, led 2 out, clear last, comfortably
in last pair, blundered 5th, lost touch 8th
close up in 4th, headway 7th, 4th and just in touch on wide outside but ridden when blundered and unseated rider 8th
led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner
Nemetan gets the confident vote here with High Calibre and Escobar rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Westernmost and although having a penalty for that win he again has conditions to suit and he will be hard to beat. High Calibre rates the main danger on his best hurdles form, he is sure to have been well schooled for this his chasing debut and with his yard in form he should be noted in the market. Escobar is another that could go well if his jumping holds up but that is a big if. Of the remainder, Ballyrainey is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Nemetan.
Nemetan (FR) 9-1 (11-3) Prominent, headway and led after 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, pecked last, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec beating Westernmost (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Escobar (POL) 33-1 (10-13) In touch, driven from 7th, lost touch next, no chance when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Phar Bleu (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft, 4 ran.
High Calibre (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, effort after 3 out, no impression, 7th of 11, 21l behind Leslingtaylor (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Glitter Ice 33-1 (10-3) Held up, slightly hampered 7th, close 3rd when brought down 3 out in race won by Copper Bay (11-1) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec, 5 ran.
Discomania 50-1 (9-11) Mostly tracked leader to 5th, chased leading pair after, disputing 2nd 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Ofarel D'airy (10-7) at Folkestone 2m mdn chs (4) gs.
Kinkeel (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Led, headed approaching 3 out, every chance run-in, no extra, 2nd of 11, nk behind Iloveturtle (10-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs (5) hvy.
Ballyrainey (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Prominent, led 4th to 5th, mistake next, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 13l behind Copper Bay (11-2) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
