led until 2nd, tracked leader, led 9th, drew well clear from 14th, easily
chased leaders, went 3rd after 14th, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd close home, no chance of winner
held up, hit 3rd, not fluent, unseated rider 5th
held up, mistake 13th, pulled up before next
chased leaders, reminders at 3rd, soon lost place, tailed off on 14th, blundered last, virtually pulled up running
held up, tracked leaders 7th, hit 8th, chased winner in vain from 14th, blundered last, weakened run-in, lost 2nd close home
jumped left, led 2nd, stumbled badly, hit next, headed 9th, mistake 11th, weakening in 4th when pulled up before 15th
Mon Mome gets the confident vote here with Concert Pianist and King Triton rating as the main dangers. The selection is game and consistent and he won well at Plumpton last time when beating Infrasonique. He has ground conditions to suit and looks the one to beat. Concert Pianist finally broke his duck over fences last time at Folkestone when beating Stavordale Lad. That was a weak race though and this will be the acid test today to see if he can translate his impressive form over hurdles to the bigger obstacles. King Triton was pulled-up at Towcester last time but he will enjoy today's ground conditions and he did run well previously on his chasing debut. Charango Star may prove best of the rest, but for the winner we will return to Mon Mome.
Mon Mome (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Keen hold in touch, tracked leading pair 14th, led 3 out, clear 2 out, eased flat, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Dec beating Infrasonique (10-10) by 6l, 11 ran.
Charango Star 33-1 (11-11) Chased leader until 8th, soon outpaced, rallied last, stayed on run-in, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Before Dark (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) sft.
Concert Pianist 10-1 (11-5) Not always fluent, tracked leaders, left 2nd 3 out, led going well 2 out, soon clear, won at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft beating Stavordale Lad (11-5) by 8l, 7 ran.
All Bart Native (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Prominent until mistake 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on, 4th of 8, 10l behind Ask The Natives (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (E) gs in Nov '02.
King Triton (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Held up, jumped slowly 2nd and 9th, ridden 10th, soon weakened pulled up at the last in race won by Mighty Matters (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f nov chs (E) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Matelot (FR) (10-3) close up, hard driven 6th, soon beaten, pulled up before last behind Miescisko (11-0) at Enghien 2m 3f chs in Dec, 18 ran.
Sarahs Quay (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Always in the rear, lost touch from 6th, 9th of 14, well behind Vingis Park (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
