close up, blundered an unseated rider 3rd
chased winner, mistake 4th, mistake and lost 2nd 10th, weakened 4 out
held up, behind from 6th
made all, soon clear, mistake 2 out, ridden and held on well flat
held up, improved to chase winner 10th, ridden 3 out, effort approaching last, stayed on towards finish
Soulard and Dusky Warbler look the two to concentrate on here and narrow preference is for Soulard. Dusky Warbler must be high on anyone's list given the fact that softer conditions today will suit more than when he made his recent chasing debut, and the longer trip will also enable him to be seen in a better light. He was the best of these over hurdles and if he runs anywhere near his hurdling mark then he will win. However Soulard impressed on his chasing debut and receiving weight from Dusky Warbler, he may just have the upper hand. He wouldn't want any rain, but he won well last time and should go well. Jimboreal is an interesting contender first time up over fences and should be a player if he jumps the obstacles, and similar applies to Daryal who may make a better chaser than hurdler. An interesting race in which preference is for Soulard.
Dusky Warbler 11-10fav (11-2) In touch, ridden and blundered 9th, driven 3 out, ran on to lead final strides, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gd in May beating Carthys Cross (11-2) by a nk, 10 ran.
Daryal (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 14th of 17, well behind Eden Linty (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Furze Hill (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden after 12th, soon weakened, jumped right 13th, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Here's Johnny (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gd.
Soulard (USA) 5-6fav (10-7) Made all, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gf beating Pencil House (11-2) by 9l, 7 ran.
Jimboreal (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off, 9th of 12, 41l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
