tracked leader, mistake 10th, outpaced next, ridden and ralied 3f out, one pace from 2f out
held up in touch, hampered 2nd, lost touch from 5th, talied off 8th
led, driven 13th, ridden and headed 15th, blundered badly 2f out, kept on same pace
held up, fell 2nd
tracked leaders, led 15th, hit next, ridden out
One time useful flat horse Savannah Bay failed to make much of an impression over hurdles but already looks to be a better chaser and is taken to follow up his success here in August with Bob Ar Aghaidh and On The Outside rated the main dangers. The selection stayed two miles on the flat so today's longer trip should hardly inconvenience the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding. Stanway is capable but is likely to struggle in this company and a bigger threat is likely to come from Bob Ar Aghaidh. Colin Tinkler's gelding ran out the easy winner of his latest start at Wetherby in April after several of his rivals made costly errors but he could do no more than was asked that day and has to be respected. Lack of a run since then is of concern for the nine-year-old though, while On The Outside, who is fit and in form, needs to improve to trouble the selection. Moss Campian has looked only moderate so far and the vote goes to Savannah Bay to make it two from two over fences.
Bob Ar Aghaidh (IRE) 85-40fav (11-2) In touch, left in lead after 9th, made rest, pushed clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Wetherby 2m 7f beg chs (E) gd in Apr beating Frankie Dori (11-2) by 5l, 11 ran.
Moss Campian 10-1 (12-0) pulled up in race won by Give Us A Chance (12-0) at Catsfield 3m ptp gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Savannah Bay 7-2 (10-12) Made all, ridden 3 out, challenged next, all out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f beg chs (E) gf in Aug beating Resplendent Star (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Stanway 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, headway to go 2nd after 5 out, every chance when blundered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Ashnaya (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in May, 5 ran.
On The Outside (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Always prominent, led 10th, clear 2 out, held on well, won at Stratford 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Sept beating Harry's Dream (11-1) by a nk, 10 ran.