chased leader until 3rd, ridden along after 6th, weakened to 3rd when mistake 2 out (normal 4 out)
held up in 5th, slow and dropped to last at 2nd, went modest 4th 2 out, (normal 4 out)
held up last, went 5th at 2nd, headway to 3rd 3 out, (normal 5 out), went 2nd after next, driven to challenge bypassing omitted last, eased when no impression final 50 yards
chased leading pair, went 2nd 3rd, led 8th, hit 3 out, (normal 5 out), made rest, driven and stayed on strongly after bypassing omitted last
led, slow and headed 8th, chased winner until soon after 2 out, (normal 4 out), mistake and weakened next, tailed off
chased leaders, lost 4th place approaching 7th, tailed off 4 out, (normal 6 out), pulled up before 2 out, (normal 4 out)
Nonrunner
This race may have a grand title but KNOCKARA BEAU is George Charlton's stable star and will be fancied to follow up last month's C&D victory as he's still fairly treated on his best form. Lie Forrit looked promising last season but has hardly raised a gallop in two runs this term while this is Devotion To Duty's first run over this distance over fences, though he has been placed over 3m over timber. Douglas Julian may also be better over shorter while Classic Cut has been absent for a while and both Cavers Glen and Etxalar are racing from out of the handicap.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 5-2 (11-8) Made all, ridden and pressed when edged left between last 2, stayed on well flat, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Nov beating Blenheim Brook (11-2) by 8l, 7 ran.
Devotion To Duty (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In rear, outpaced 7th, soon behind, stayed on run in, went 4th near finish, 4th of 5, 16l behind Kumbeshwar (11-7) at Haydock 2m grad ch (2) sft in Nov.
Lie Forrit (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 9th, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 36l behind Quartz De Thaix (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Douglas Julian 8-1 (10-12) In touch, pushed along before 6th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 39l behind Bathwick Brave (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Classic Cut 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, close 3rd when fell 3 out, in a race won by Belon Gale (11-12) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov '10, 6 ran.
Cavers Glen 20-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, chased leading pair 13th, went 2nd 3 out, effort next, soon ridden, 3 lengths down in 3rd and one pace when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Knockara Beau (11-8) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Etxalar (FR) 33-1 (10-2) Close up, led 10th, headed after 13th, weakened before last, 6th of 15, 13l behind Monsieur Cadou (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
