chased clear leading pair, closed to track winner 4 out, not fluent 3 out, lost 2nd and weakened before last, lost modest 3rd closing stages
took keen hold, held up in last pair until approaching 6th, headway next, chased leading pair 4 out, weakened and mistake 2 out, tailed off
raced in 5th and off the pace, dropped to 6th place when fell 6th
raced in 4th, went left 8th, headway to 3rd 2 out, went 2nd before and no chance with winner when went left last
well in rear, lost touch 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led, mistake 4th, headed next, blundered 6th, mistake and lost 2nd 4 out, soon behind, rallied from last, went poor 3rd closing stages
tracked leader, led 5th, went left 3 out and reminder, clear when hit 2 out, eased towards finish
This is a very decent contest for the track and several of these will probably go on to better things. Both Royale's Charter and Kumbeshwar make their debut over the larger obstacles but the former has already won twice over hurdles this season while the latter gets a handy weight-for-age allowance and should be approaching peak fitness now. Tiger O'Toole won a Grade 2 handicap over timber at Ascot last season but, having been left at the start, fell on his chasing bow at Ludlow while ESCORT'MEN unseated Ruby Walsh early on at Kempton last week. Paul Nicholls' novice may have won at Fontwell earlier, however, had he not stumbled after jumping the last and deserves another chance.
All For Free (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Raced in 3rd, never remotely involved, left in poor 2nd 3 out, 2nd of 4, 28l behind Darna (11-0) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (5) gd.
Escort'men (FR) 6-4 (11-0) Tracked winner and keen, pecked badly and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Chablais (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gd, 4 ran.
Mister Fantastic 13-2 (10-13) Tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, led approaching 2 out, hit 2 out, soon headed, no extra near finish, 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Man In Black (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Royale's Charter 7-1 (11-8) Mid-division in touch on inside, outpaced after 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, never on terms, 5th of 14, 13l behind Molotof (10-12) at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs.
Tiger O'Toole (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Held up in 6th when fell 1st, in a race won by Tatispout (10-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gf in Oct, 7 ran.
U B Carefull 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 3rd, not fluent 8th, 6 lengths clear when hit 2 out, slithered on landing and jockey did well to stay on, soon headed, not recover, 4th of 8, 6l behind Moon Over Miami (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Kumbeshwar 16-1 (11-4) In touch on inside, lost place before 3 out, soon behind, 16th of 23, 31l behind Brampour (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs.
