held up, not always fluent, headway when slow 9th, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner flat
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, challenged 8th, led before next, headed approaching last, one pace and no impression
chased leader, not fluent and reminder 6th, led 7th until slow next, weakened after next
held up, not fluent 5th or when not much room 8th, headway next, challenged 2 out (normal 3 out), led before last, clear flat, stayed on well
led, not fluent 2nd, headed when not fluent 7th, led 8th, headed before next, one pace and no impression before last
Noble Friend has won twice at Plumpton this year and was only beaten a length-and-a-half at Newton Abbot when chasing a hat-trick, though is now on a career-high mark. Marie Des Anges is 6lb higher than when successful over course and distance last month but wasn't beaten far at Worcester last time and has every chance again. Here I Am, third here last time, remains unexposed and makes more appeal than the inconsistent Boss In Boots but ANDI'AMU may be the one to be on. He made mistakes on his chasing bow at Stratford but that will have taught him plenty and the five-year-old is well treated on his hurdles form.
Marie Des Anges (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden from 2 out, edged left flat, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Madame De Guise (10-9) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Boss In Boots (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In touch, effort when mistake 7th, outpaced when not fluent 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 37l behind Lough Kent (11-9) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in May.
Andi'amu (FR) 7-2 (11-1) Chased winner until 6th, not fluent next (water), rallied 2 out, no impression before last, one pace, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Flash Tommie (10-0) at Stratford 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in May.
Noble Friend (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) In rear and in touch, ridden and headway before 2 out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 4, 1 1/2l behind To The Sky (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Here I Am (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led, clear 3rd until before 7th, ridden and headed before last, no impression on winner and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Minella Present (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 1f nov chs (4) gs.