held up in last pair, went 3rd approaching 6th, 2nd 9th until pushed along before 3 out, soon struggling, lost poor 3rd in closing stages
jumped well, made all, never in any danger, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
took keen hold tracking leading pair, already lost 3rd when fell 6th
held up in last pair, 4th approaching 6th, pushed along after 4 out, weakened before next
mistakes, hit 1st, chased winner until blundered 9th, rallied into 2nd again before 3 out, kept on but never any chance with winner
chased leaders in 4th until blundered and dropped to rear 2nd, went 4th before 2 out, plugged on into poor 3rd in closing stages
Knight Of Pleasure was far from disgraced when second to the promising and bold-jumping Garrahalish on his chasing debut at Towcester last month, experience which should stand Gary Moore's charge in good stead here off topweight. He'll go well. Kings Lad is returned to action quickly after falling in Petit Zig's Exeter win during the week and remains of interest but Champagne N Caviar has a major absence to overcome and Steel City doesn't seem overly well treated for his first run over the larger obstacles. Spirit D'Amour does look a chaser in the making and is respected off a lowly weight but the choice is THE BEAR TRAP. The Curtis gelding survived no further than the first in a good Ascot race this month but jumped well enough the time before behind Bullet Street at Ludlow. He's worth another chance in receipt of 6lb from the topweight.
Knight Of Pleasure 13-8fav (11-0) Held up, not fluent 4th, closed next, not fluent 6th, went 2nd 3 out, edged left and no impression flat, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Garrahalish (11-0) at Towcester 2m nov chs (4) gf in Oct.
Kings Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Took keen hold tracking leading pair, blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Ptit Zig (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft, 4 ran.
Steel City 33-1 (10-11) Pulled hard in mid-division on inside, blundered 1st, weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Brave Vic (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcap hdle Grd 3 (1) sft in Mar, 16 ran.
The Bear Trap (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Held up, unseated rider 1st, in a race won by The Clock Leary (10-3) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcap ch (3) gd, 8 ran.
Champagne N Caviar (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 4th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Western Warhorse (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr '13.
Spirit D'armor (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 5th, went 2nd 3 out until well before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 40l behind Brother Brian (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs.
