led to 8th, tracked leader, led again 11th, headed when hampered by loose horse before 13th, outpaced 2 out, weakened flat
fell 1st
hampered 1st, held up behind, effort 2 out, soon driven and outpaced, no impression flat
hampered 1st, behind, headway 3 out, led after last, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra
mid-division when badly hampered and unseated rider 11th
mid-division, outpaced approaching 2 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, headway to lead when hampered by loose horse approaching 13th, headed after last, soon ridden, rallied inside final furlong to lead again post (final fence bypassed on both circuits)
with leader, led 8th, headed when fell 11th
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and stayed on to lead well over 1f out, hampered by loose horse inside final furlong, headed post
held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
LE VERT GALANT looks a likely chasing sort and we take him to land this race with Lahib The Fifth and Simply Smashing worthy of consideration for the shortlist. A fair performer in bumpers, he did not necessarily respect the hurdles but with the benefit of a run under his belt, we are confident that he can leave that form behind over the larger obstacles. Lahib The Fifth accounted for Waterski on their previous meeting and while he is not without his quirks, we are hopeful that he can confirm form. Simply Smashing seemed to appreciate the switch to hold up tactics at Carlisle. He has previously operated as a front runner so it would be no surprise to see him switch back to that style of racing again. Sotovik finished second to Knockara Beau in May and that rival went on to advertise the form in sensational style at Carlisle. Gershwinner did not do a lot wrong when succombing to Its Teescomponents. It is somewhat unfortunate that the handicapper sought to raise him another 6lb up the handicap for that near miss. Breakwater House has a bit to prove but could enter calculations if the rain starts to fall. This is not the strongest of races and if Le Vert Galant can return to some of his bumper form, he would not be without a chance of landing this prize.
Gershwinner (IRE) 3-1fav (12-2) Held up in touch, chased winner 4 out, ridden from last, stayed on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Its Teescomponents (10-9) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in May.
Sotovik (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 4 out, stayed on run in, not reached winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Knockara Beau (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chase (4) gd in May.
Le Vert Galant (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, chased leaders approaching 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Dunaskin (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Lahib The Fifth (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up, went 2nd after 2 out, ridden to lead flat (no time taken), won at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct beating Waterski (10-10) by nk, 7 ran.
Breakwater House (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 6th, soon beaten, 9th of 14, well behind Benmadigan (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Simply Smashing (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway between last 2, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Oct beating Ballynure (10-10) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Waterski 3-1fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, kept on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 7, nk behind Lahib The Fifth (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Indy Mood 10-3fav (10-6) Mid-division, ridden 12th, chased leaders when blundered 3 out, not recover, 5th of 13, 30l behind Gershwinner (11-7) at Perth 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in May.
Sierra Victor (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 3 out, effort approaching last, soon ridden, rallied towards finish, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Onthegoagain (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f stks (5) gd in Oct.
Classy Chav (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 14, 25l behind Pay On (10-3) at Kelso 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in May '08.
