held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
chased leaders, outpaced 8, left 4th, no impression 2 out, rallied approaching last, led flat, kept on
prominent, 7 lengths down when hampered and left in lead 2 out, soon headed, one pace flat
led, 4 lengths up when fell heavily 2 out
towards rear, outpaced 4 out, hampered and left 4th 2 out, soon led, headed last, no extra
mid-division, outpaced 8, hampered and left 3rd 2 out, led last, headed and hung left flat, finished 2nd place 3rd
towards rear, reminder 6th, pushed along 7th, outpaced 4 out, left 5th 2 out, effort approaching last, 3rd and no impression when hampered flat, finished 3rd placed 2nd
prominent to halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders, 4 lengths down when left in lead 2 out, hampered and unseated rider
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Donovan gets the call over Loulou Nivernais, What If and Twist N Turn to name but three. This should not take too much winning, and Donovan lines up on the back of a gutsy effort at Towcester where he managed to see off the challenge of Lord On The Run up the hill. If the ground here gets any more testing, those qualities will stand him in good stead. Described as a bit in and out by his trainer, he has more to offer than he has shown in the main, and with the cheekpieces to help, can follow up. Loulou Nivernais has been consistent of late, and with Tony Dobbin to help, can also play a prominent role. What If has failed to win so far in Ireland but ran fairly well in a novice chase here back in May. He may surprise, while Twist N Turn, who was selling class over hurdles, is with the right man to teach him to jump the bigger obstacles. The market may throw up a potential springer here, but overall, Donovan makes most appeal.
Longdale 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, behind when lame and pulled up at the last in race won by Miami Explorer (11-1) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (C) gf in Jun, 14 ran.
One Five Eight 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leader to 9th, outpaced 4 out, 4th and no impression when fell 2 out in race won by Dun Doire (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Donovan (NZ) 9-4fav (11-1) Held up, headway 5th, tracked leader from 6th, ridden 3 out, edged right 2 out, led last, kept on, won at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Oct beating Lord On The Run (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Loulou Nivernais (FR) 9-2 (11-1) With leader, led 8th, ridden 3 out, hit next, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Kalou (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Nov.
What If (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd when fell in race won by Almier (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs gs in Sept, 15 ran.
Grand Slam (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 5 out, ridden and effort 3 out, went 2nd briefly approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Midlem Melody (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs in Apr '04.
Persian Point 10-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 17l behind Corrib Lad (11-12) at Hexham 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) sft in Nov.
Ideal du Bois Beury (FR) 9-2fav (9-11) Towards rear, effort 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 14l behind Lanaken (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Nov.
Lion Guest (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway 9th, blundered badly 5 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Lanaken (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Nov, 9 ran.
Twist N Turn 14-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 12, 21l behind Dancinginthestreet (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gd in Nov.
Fountain Brig 11-4 (10-9) Led to 11th, hit next, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Silver Jack (11-12) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Nov.
Corbie Abbey (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders to halfway, 11th of 14, well behind Bogus Dreams (11-12) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in May.
