took keen hold, in touch, mistake and weakened 12th, struggling when hit 4 out, tailed off in 7th when blundered 3 out and pulled up before next
held up in last trio, headway to chase leaders 6th, led 4 out, hit 3 out, cleared before 2 out, stayed on strongly
chased leader, still well there 4 out, weakened quickly before next, tailed off
chased leaders, pecked badly 5th, steadily lost place, ridden in rear at 9th, pulled 6th when blundered 2 out and pulled up before last
chased leaders on inside, ridden and weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
held up in last trio, jumped left and reminders 7th, pushed along 11th, driven in 4th after 4 out, no impression
held up in rear, headway to chase leading trio 4 out, went 3rd next, one pace from 2 out
led, not fluent 6th, headed 4 out, chased winner after, chance 3 out, no extra next
This is a trappy affair with likely favourite Lord Appellare possibly not one to be taking short prices about, so our vote goes to REBLIS ahead of Iconoclast. Gary Moore's gelding is yet to score in Britain, but his second at Newbury last time under conditions similar to today's looks rock-solid form and he can go one better here, despite a 5lb rise in the weights. Phillip Hide's mount had previously taken second at Huntingdon over the trip but there's no reason to question his attitude and he looks more solid than most. Iconoclast won well over hurdles last time and returns to fences off just a 1lb higher mark. That was his first win under rules and the gelding remains unexposed so, as a winner of a point-to-point over this trip in Ireland, he's very interesting here with the step up to three miles a positive move. Lord Appellare is up 12lbs for a wide-margin success last time and the weight might not stop him if he returns in the same form, but that was his first win in 21 starts and he's often found less than looked likely under pressure so might just be worth taking on, with the positive jockey booking set to contract the price further. Tuskar Rock looks a doubtful stayer under these conditions and there has to be a similar question mark over Approved Force, so perhaps Noakarad De Verzee can go well at a price. A hunter chase winner, this nine-year-old will be staying on better than most and ran well when second last time. In a race where none can be totally overlooked, Newbay Bob could gain decent prize money. The concern with this one is he's yet to win under rules and similar sentiments apply to Son Histoire although the last-named is at least less exposed than most. This has the makings of a good race and several have chances, but our idea of the one most likely to give his running is Reblis.
Approved Force (USA) 8-1 (10-13) Held up, mistakes 6th and 8th, headway 10th, chased winner after 3 out, edged right when no impression flat, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Pickamus (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Iconoclast (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) In touch, led 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Herons Well (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Noakarad De Verzee (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, not fluent 8th, soon lost place and in touch, chased winner after last, kept on well, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Temoin (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Son Histoire (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division on inside, mistake 13th (water), headway and effort 4 out, soon outpaced, 3rd and beaten when not fluent next, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 36l behind Fine By Me (9-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Tuskar Rock (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed last, kept on, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Robo (10-4) at Southwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gd in Dec.
Reblis (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, blundered 4 out, challenging after next, led and hit last, headed and no extra run-in, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Doctor Pat (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Lord Appellare (IRE) 10-3fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Dec beating Donald Will Do (10-9) by 22l, 8 ran.
Newbay Bob 4-1fav (10-1) In lead approaching 1st, still prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, 3rd last, one pace, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Present M'lord (11-7) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
