with leader, mistake 4th, led approaching 3 out, not fluent last, pushed clear
held up towards rear, mistake 10th, never dangerous
always behind, ridden 9th, behind and pulled up 2 out
in touch, mistake 7th, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and kept on same pace
in touch, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
not jump well, always behind
led, headed after 5th, mistake and led again 9th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened and eased 3 out, pulled up next
held up towards rear, mistake 7th, headway 12th, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, kept on one pace
prominent, led after 5th, headed 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened flat
Predator is chasing the four-timer here and gets our vote ahead of Down's Folly and Royal Katidoki. The selection hails from a yard in good form and he looks an above average novice. He was always going to come into his own over fences, but achieved a 120 rating over hurdles. This course and distance winner beat Cool Roxy last time and with more improvement to come he gets the vote. Down's Folly was quite useful over hurdles and if he can translate that form to the bigger obstacles then he will have an obvious chance. He is making his seasonal reappearance here but he has gone well fresh in the past so he is definite shortlist material on ground that will suit. Royal Katidoki ran his best race yet over fences when winning at Ludlow last time out. He beat Piran that day in what was his first run for his new trainer, but that was a weak race and more will be required to get competitive today. New Entic is a course and distance winner and could go well at a big each-way price, but for the winner we will stick with Predator who could not be in better form.
Predator (GER) 7-2 (11-4) Close up, chased leader 7th, led 12th, clear next, easily, won at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Oct beating Cool Roxy (11-1) by 11l, 7 ran.
Royal Katidoki (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led 11th, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Oct beating Piran (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Chain 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, reminders and headway to lead after 7th, headed 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Alikat (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) gf in Jun, 6 ran.
Davy Jack (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off from after 4th, 4th of 8, well behind Legal Glory (10-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Down's Folly (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, not fluent 1st, soon chased leaders, led, going well between last 2, kept on well until headed, not pace of winner final 75 yards, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Astyanax (10-9) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Wee Robbie 12-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, not fluent 4th, led after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec beating Oscar Park (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 18 ran.
Cream Cracker 13-2 (10-12) Held up, headway after 5th, close 3rd and ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 10, 23l behind Wee Dinns (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Sept.
Penneyrose Bay 11-10fav (10-7) Blundered 2nd, chased winner to 4th, soon lost touch, left 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Briscoe Place (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Jun.
