prominent, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra flat
held up in rear, headway after 7th, led 3 out, headed, flat, no extra
held up, headway to join leaders 7th, slow 9th, soon weakened
always in rear, slow 3rd
prominent, joined leader 6th, led 9th, headed next, every chance 2 out, stumbled on landing and unseated rider
held up in rear, headway after 7th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
led, headed approaching 6th, weakened before 8th, pulled up 3 out
held up, never a factor
in touch, not fluent and chased leaders 2 out, every chance last, led flat, ridden and stayed on strongly
Neysauteur is one of the more consistent runners in the field and he gets the verdict ahead of Parkinson and Charlies Future. The selection has been in good form all season, winning well at both Exeter and Ascot. He wasn't disgraced when third behind Nykel in a stronger race than this last time out and another big run is expected. Parkinson started the campaign well ahead of the assessor but could now be just in his grip. However he should still play his part in the finish. Charlies Future had no chance with the rejuvenated Zimbabwe last time but was clear second and could be the best each-way chance. Fullards though is another to consider for the places, but our idea of the winner is Neysauteur.
Cowboyboots (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Prominent when brought down in race won by Maletton (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 11 ran.
Neysauteur (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 17th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Nykel (10-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Liverpool Echo (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off from 8th, 7th of 10, 28l behind Kenzo III (9-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Marked Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Not fluent, chased leader, mistake 8th, lost 2nd at 12th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 12, 27l behind Idole First (11-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Alexanderthegreat (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Held up, struggling when hit 14th, soon tailed off, virutally pulled up flat, 6th of 8, well behind Ever Present (10-10) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Nice Try (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) In touch, not fluent 4th, mistake 8th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Roman Ark (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy, 5 ran.
Charlies Future 12-1 (11-9) Led to approaching 2nd, prominent, ridden after 11th, kept on well to go 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Zimbabwe (10-4) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
On Y Va (FR) 33-1 (11-12) In rear, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 8th of 12, 31l behind Vicario (11-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Fullards 11-2 (10-7) Held up, headway 10th, outpaced approaching 4 out, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Victory Gunner (10-7) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Parkinson (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Mid-division on outside, headway 8th, went 2nd approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Radnor Lad (10-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Moment of Madness (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and chased winner approaching 4 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Snowy (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.