relucant and reminders to jump off, led, clear 4th until after 7th, joined 3 out, not fluent next, driven and headed before last, dropped to 3rd when left 2nd last, kept on flat, always held
took keen hold, held up in 4th, headway 9th, went 3rd 11th until blundered 4 out, not fluent next, rallied and staying on 1 length down in 2nd when fell last
tracked leader, reached for 5th, settled 3rd at 7th until 11th, went 3rd agin 4 out, went 2nd soon after 2 out, driven to lead before looking around and edged left last, kept on well flat
took keen hold, tracked leading pair until blundered and dropped to rear at 2nd, not fluent 6th, went left 8th, left 4th at the last, kept on to press for modest 3rd flat
took keen hold, went 3rd 2nd, went 2nd 7th, mistake 4 out, challenged 3 out, every chance when blundered 2 out, soon weakened, left modest 3rd last
Nonrunner
MOLOTOF hasn't done a lot wrong over fences so far and jumped well when making all in a handicap at Warwick two weeks ago. He was just over a length ahead of Changing Times at Taunton in October and is 3lb worse off today but we expect Nicky Henderson's grey to confirm the form and land this ahead of Grandioso, though the latter could hardly have been more impressive at Ludlow last time and deserves a crack at this higher level. Peckhamecho is back over fences after a couple of good runs over hurdles but was well behind Theatre Guide at Exeter in November. The latter was pulled up in the Feltham here last time, however, when the selection finished fourth. Tour D'argent hasn't jumped well enough so far to suggest he can make an impact in this grade.
Molotof (FR) 9-4fav (11-0) Led from 2nd, headed 7th, led again 8th, stayed on well from 2 out, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy beating Drumshambo (10-8) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, not fluent 7th, struggling 11th, soon beaten, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Dynaste (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
Grandioso (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 12th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating Cadoudalas (11-1) by 37l, 8 ran.
Peckhamecho (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, mistake 2 out, led 2 out, driven flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Medinas (10-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f ltd hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Tour D'Argent (FR) 4-7fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind City Press (11-0) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Changing Times (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led until 9th, mistake 11th, soon lost place, modest 4th, last of 4, 35l behind Captain Conan (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) hvy.
