led, jumped left, pushed along from 11th, bumped and headed 3 out, outpaced by leading pair after, kept on same pace
held up in rear, not fluent 8th, jumped left and not fluent next, soon behind, pulled up before 10th
chased leader until not fluent 10th, switched left and led 3 out, 3 lengths clear when mistake next, soon ridden, edged left then headed last, strong challenge flat, joined leader close home
tracked leaders in 3rd, closed 6th, went 2nd 10th, bumped 3 out, 3 lengths down 2 out, rallied to lead last, hard pressed flat, joined close home
Nonrunner
THEATRE GUIDE only ran three time last term with his third place in the Hennessy and a close second in a Cheltenham Grade 3 standing out. He can take this before going on to better things. Annacotty was the surprise winner of the Grade 1 Feltham Chase here on Boxing Day but blundered his way around Cheltenham in the RSA Chase and will find being back over these fences more to his liking. Fox Appeal. a short-priced favourite when narrowly beaten in the Pendil Novices' Chase here in February, has a fitness advantage having run at Market Rasen in September and it will be a surprise if he's not thereabouts. Bear's Affair has won twice over fences, both times at longer trips and may not get the stamina test he requires but Caid Du Berlais looks a smart prospect and ran well for a long way in the Galway Plate.
Annacotty (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, lost place before 15th, soon behind, tailed off, 8th of 15, 42l behind O'Faolains Boy (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Bear's Affair (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closed 3rd, tracking leader when not fluent 16th, challenged 4 out until 3 out, no impression from next, left 3rd and hampered last, 3rd of 17, 19l behind The Romford Pele (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Jun.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway on outside after 4 out, led briefly 2 out, 2 lengths down and one pace when hit last, soon lost place, ridden and no impression flat, 4th of 12, 5l behind Mart Lane (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Held up in mid-division, headway 11th, challenged 17th, led before 2 out, ridden and headed last, stayed on but held by winner flat, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Monbeg Dude (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec.
Caid Du Berlais (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, moderate 6th halfway, slight mistake 6 out, closer before 2 out, ridden last, no impression entering straight, kept one pace, 7th of 22, 32l behind Road To Riches (10-11) at Galway 2m 6f hcap ch gd in Jul.
