led early, prominent, not fluent 3rd, 2nd after 12th, mistake next, soon led, jumped slowly 3 out, headed when slow again next, beaten before last, eased flat
mid-division, closed after 2nd, 2nd 4th until after 12th, weakened 2 out
in rear, ridden and behind 10th, tailed off 12th, soon pulled up
held up in mid-division, headway 9th, ridden after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, challenged 14th, led before 2 out, clear last, comfortably
chased leaders, lost place when blundered 4th, ridden and behind 10th, tailed off 12th
soon led, hit 2nd, jumped left 3rd, hit 7th, blundered badly 13th, soon headed, mistake and weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders on outside, mistake and lost place 2nd, reminder 3rd, behind 10th, tailed off 12th
towards rear, jumped a little tentatively, last from 2nd, well behind 9th, pulled up before 12th
Chef D'oeuvre, a winning point-to-pointer and hurdler, started favourite for his chasing debut at Fontwell but ran poorly and was beaten when unseating his rider at the last. Dueling Banjos has a similar profile though he's run twice over fences, falling at the first at Ascot then being well beaten by the long odds-on Champers On Ice at Uttoxeter. MORITO DU BERLAIS won three times over timber and finished third in a Listed handicap at Cheltenham just over a year ago. He's related to a couple of smart jumpers and can make a successful debut over fences. Mystical Knight won twice between the flags in Ireland and made a successful bumper debut for Rebecca Curtis. He's also scored over hurdles and was tackling Grade One company when pulling up at Aintree in April. He should make a chaser and looks a big threat while Uncle Jimmy, four times a winner over hurdles, has the benefit of a run over fences behind him and he was having only his second start in almost two years when a good third at Newton Abbot last month
Chef D'Oeuvre (FR) 15-8fav (11-8) Not fluent at times, held up in touch, reminder after 9th, headway 4 out, ridden before next, soon weakened, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider last, at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Dueling Banjos 4-1 (11-1) Jumped right at times, led, headed 11th, ridden after 14th, mistake 4 out, soon beaten, well held 2 out, 2nd of 3, 27l behind Champers On Ice (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m (3) sft in Dec.
Finnegan's Garden (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced in 3rd before 3 out, no chance with front pair after, weakened after next, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Bears Rails (11-11) at Fakenham 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Morito Du Berlais (FR) 12-1 (11-7) In touch in mid-division, headway 4 out, mistake 3 out, every chance after 2 out, stayed on but held by front pair flat, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Rons Dream (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Mystical Knight 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and struggling 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
One Day Like This (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 4th before 6th until next, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Speredek (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Led, soon 10 lengths clear, jumped right in places, mistake 4th, hung right on bend approaching 6th, headed before 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 9, dist behind City Supreme (11-2) at Newbury 3m hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Swincombe Scorchio 9-4 (12-0) (tt) hdwy 12; ev ch 3 out; kpt on one pce, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Bill And Barn (12-0) at Charlton Horethorne 3m sft in Mar.
Uncle Jimmy (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Tracked leader, every chance 2 out, kept on and lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Solomn Grundy (10-10) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
