held up towards rear, mistake 6th, headway halfway, hit 5 out and next, left clear 2nd 3 out, outpaced when not fluent next, soon beaten
made all, drew clear from 2 out, easily
chased leaders until fell 13th
chased leaders, lost place 6th, behind from halfway, tailed off when refused 3 out, continued
close up, blundered 4 out, on length down and disputing 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
Contact Dancer, The Entomologist and Ice Tea look the three to concentrate on in this novices chase and the nomination is given to contract Dancer. The selection has had jumping problems in the past but he was much more proficient in that department when third behind Lord Ryeford. He looks sure to appreciate this longer trip and with his yard in form he looks the one to be on. The Entomologist rates the main danger as he has won his last two races in good style and he had Ice Tea behind him last time out. However he looks vulnerable under his double penalty. Ice Tea is another that could go well on his best form but he was disappointing for no apparent reason last time out so he can not be put forward with much confidence. Willies Way won well last time out when beating Spare Change but this looks tougher and his overall profile leaves him with a little to find. Of the remainder Ballyhale has yet to prove he stays this far and Contract Dancer id our idea of the winner.
The Entomologist (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Held up in touch, hit 10th, led approaching last, idled flat, pushed out near finish, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Sept beating Litron (11-4) by 1l, 10 ran.
Ice Tea (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Prominent, mistake 8th, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on again flat, 3rd of 10, 4l behind The Entomologist (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Sept.
Willies Way 9-1 (10-6) Prominent, reminder after 5th, mistake 7th, ridden and outpaced after 8th, rallied 2 out, led flat, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept beating Spare Change (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ballyhale (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Behind, pushed along 5th, soon struggling and pulled up 3 out in race won by Double Deputy (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept, 11 ran.
Contact Dancer (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked leading pair, effort when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Lord Ryeford (11-8) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gf in Sept.
Golden Snoopy (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 8, 29l behind Oeil d'Estruval (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gs in Jul.
