disputed lead until led 12th, mistake 4 out, headed just after last, weakened flat
disputed lead, slow 6th, under pressure 12th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, effort 3 out, soon weakened, modest 4th
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, slow 10th and 11th, soon driven, rallied 3 out, every chance next, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
held up in touch, smooth headway 3 out, soon tracking leader, led just after last, very easy (2 fences ommited)
Rydalis probably wasn't winning out of turn at Leicester last time but has another 6lb to carry here. FRONTIER SPIRIT has had his problems this season but finally completed a race when a distant second to Poole Master on heavy ground at Ffos Las. That should have given him a bit of confidence and Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge can go one better upped in trip here as Lively Baron invariably flatters to deceive, though is now 7lb lower than his last winning mark. Like the selection, Streams Of Whiskey has jumping issues but Chapolimoss should strip fitter for a close third over track and trip in January.
Rydalis (FR) 6-1 (10-10) Prominent until before 2nd, in last pair 4th, not fluent 7th, closed next, challenged 2 out, soon led, driven clear flat, idled towards finish, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Feb beating Noble Legend (11-12) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Frontier Spirit (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed after 4 out, soon outpaced, plugged on from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 39l behind Poole Master (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Streams Of Whiskey (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 38l behind Everaard (10-2) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Lively Baron (IRE) 6-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened from 11th, last of 4, 20l behind Isla Pearl Fisher (11-1) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Chapolimoss (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, jumped left, closed from 3 out, ridden and one pace in disputed 3rd 2 out, stayed on final 100 yards, closing on 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Trojan Sun (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
