mistake 1st, tracked leaders in 4th, headway to chase winner 8th, until weakened 3 out
jumped well, tracked leader, led 6th, pecked 11th, in command from 3 out and soon clear, eased near finish
in touch to 8th, tailed off when blundered 3 out
tracked leaders, niggled along before 11th, driven before 4 out, chased easy winner from 3 out, no impression
led to 6th, tracked winner to 8th, weakened before 10th, tailed off
not fluent and jumped left, always last, mistake 6th, lost touch 8th, tailed off when blundered 12th
Star De Mohaison can help keep up Paul Nicholls' great run by beating Steppes of Gold, with Dedrunknmunky best of the remainder. Star De Mohaison has the class to prevail here, having already got round at Aintree and Cheltenham since being sent over fences. The ex-French five-year-old has plenty of time on his side and has shaped well in defeat behind The Listener on his last two starts. He seems to just want to gallop on at the one pace, but if he gets into a rhythm today, he should prove too strong for Steppes of Gold. The latter will appreciate the longer trip after staying on for third behind Coat of Honour at Wetherby, but he was beaten six lengths by the selection's stablemate Le Volfoni at Chepstow in December so Nicholls will have a form line to work on. Dedrunknmunky caused an upset when beating Reseda here in November, but has not been out since and might be found wanting if they go a good gallop, and with that in mind, we return to Star De Mohaison as the pick.
One Cornetto (IRE) 66-1 (11-8) Slightly hampered and fell in race won by Racing Demon (11-10) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Star De Mohaison (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, in 4th when ridden and outpaced 5 out, stayed on well to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 2l behind The Listener (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
Run To The King (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Prominent until 6th, well behind and pulled up 5 out in race won by Before Dark (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Steppes of Gold (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, effort approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Coat of Honour (11-4) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (D) sft in Dec.
Dedrunknmunky (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led until 4 out, soon ridden, rallied to go 2nd 2 out, led soon after last, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs nov chs (E) sft in Nov beating Reseda (10-12) by 2l, 6 ran.
Sarahs Quay (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Led 2nd, headed 9th, mistake 11th, weakening in 4th when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Mon Mome (12-1) at Fontwell 3m 2f nov chs (3) sft, 7 ran.
