in touch until lost place 8th, not on terms after, tailed off 4 out
not fluent, mid-division, mistake 11th, struggling next, tailed off
made most until ridden and headed 4 out, chased leader until before next, dropped to 3rd and well held when blundered 3 out
not always fluent, held up towards rear, headway 8th, chased leaders after 4 out, went poor 3rd just before last
held up in rear, poor 5th when blundered 3 out, tailed off
raced wide, always prominent, chased leader before 2 out, challenged last, driven ahead final 100 yds
took keen hold, chased leaders, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, joined last, no extra and headed final 100 yds
held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, mistake next, mistake and weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
raced on inside, held up in rear, under pressure after 7th, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in mid-division , driven and lost place 7th, struggling after, tailed off 4 out
blundered 2nd, held up, headway and close up from 4th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, pushed along and struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
Withdrawn
It's debatable whether Fistral Beach has been unfortunate to run up a string of seconds or whether his attitude leaves something to be desired, but whatever the case we'll take him to come second again, this time to AIGLE D'OR. Nicky Henderson's talented gelding is rated 143 over hurdles which makes his chase figure of 135 look appealing. Of course there are reasons for the difference, chiefly that he's been well held in two starts over the larger obstacles. In the hope that his jumping issues have been addressed though, he looks worth chancing of a potentially lenient mark with AP in the saddle. Should the seven-year-old disappoint once more then Fistral Beach might be able to finally gain his first victory over timber. Paul Nicholls' charge has been sent off favourite for all eight runs over obstacles without winning and the fact that he's come second on seven of those starts is a concern. It is ironic that his sole success in a bumper came when not sent off as market leader, and with slight concerns about the ground adding to those about his resolution we'll play the percentages and oppose. Le Burf is up 2lbs for a solid second last time and merits consideration, especially seeing as the trip will be spot on for this French-bred gelding who has the assistance of Aidan Coleman in the saddle. He rates a threat along with Donaldson who has done well so far over fences and ran with credit behind Carrick Oscar when last seen. Magic Sky has gone up 6lbs in the ratings for a win in a similar affair last time and should go well under his talented pilot, and he is preferred to Supreme Duke of the rest. The last-named is bred to be a decent chaser and looked good when landing a novice event last year. He's not quite lived up to expectation since but remains unexposed and capable of better. Heathcote has plenty to find with Magic Sky on their run last time and as such is hard to fancy, Oracle des Mottes represents the champion trainer but unseated last time and hadn't looked well handicapped anyway, and Captain Americo has been dropped a couple of pounds since his last run but may need yet more assistance. Stradbrook was a solid hurdler and should be up to this mark but hasn't looked a natural over fences and it's to his owner's other runner that we return, as Aigle D'Or gets the vote.
Aigle D'or 6-1 (11-0) Led 2nd until before next, prominent, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 11l behind My Moment (11-0) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Donaldson (GER) 5-2 (11-13) Led, blundered badly when headed and dropped to 3rd 4 out, rallied to chase winner last, every chance when carried right flat, hung left and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Carrick Oscar (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Aug.
Le Burf (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) With leader, led 11th, headed after 4 out, effort 2 out, rallied after last, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Fit To Drive (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Magic Sky (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Took keen hold early, held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 10th, effort approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure on long run from last, driven to lead towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec beating Private Be (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Oracle des Mottes (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear until unseated rider after 4th, in a race won by Green Belt Elite (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Fistral Beach (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Chased leader, led 4th, narrowly headed approaching 10th, regained lead 10th, ridden and headed 3 out, still every chance 2 out, no extra and well held before last, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Far More Serious (11-4) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gs in Dec.
Heathcote 9-1 (11-0) Held up, pushed along before 4 out, weakened after next, 6th of 9, 18l behind Magic Sky (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Jigsaw Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Behind, no chance when hampered by loose horse 4 out, pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Captain Americo (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, not fluent 1st, steadied towards rear approaching 4th, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 21l behind Doctor Pat (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Stradbrook (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Always behind, mistake 10th, never dangerous, 9th of 13, well behind Polyfast (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Snakebite (IRE) 11-4fav (10-4) Chased leader until after 2 out, weakened after last, 5th of 9, 28l behind The Outlier (10-3) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan '07.
Mr Prickle (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 10, 8l behind Senor Shane (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Supreme Duke (IRE) 11-2fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, hampered slightly 5 out, chased leaders next, went 3rd approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 15, 20l behind Watch My Back (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
