led until 3 out, weakened quickly, eased when beaten
prominent, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced
held up, smooth headway after 3 out, joined winner next, led narrowly last, soon ridden, headed near finish
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance briefly after 3 out, not pace at leading pair from next
held up, hit 3 out, soon ridden went 4th 2 out, but never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, battled on gamely, led near finish, driven out
Harchibald can continue his return to form with success at the expense of Straw Bear and Acambo. Noel Meade's charge is a true enigma in all sense of the word but he was on his best behaviour at Newcastle in the Fighting Fifth and if he consents to put the effort in, this race is there for the taking. Straw Bear has questions to answer and this race could decide whether he goes over the larger obstacles or not. He dropped away very tamely at Cheltenham and doesn't look a betting proposition until he shows some of his old sparkle. Acambo fell at Taunton on his last outing over chase fences. You couldn't rule him out here given the form of David Pipe's stable at present. Gwanako drops in trip whilst Punchestown Grade 1 winner, Punjabi belatedly makes his seasonal reappearance. Penzance is something of an enigma and may trouble the places if on a going day. An obvious chance for Harchibald and he will be priced accordingly.
Acambo (GER) 4-7fav (11-6) Held up early, mistake 4th, chased leader after 6th, led 7th, ridden 2 out, stumbled and fell at the last in race won by Triggernometry (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd, 6 ran.
Gwanako (FR) 3-1fav (11-7) Chased leaders, challenged 5th, narrow lead 6th to 8th, led again 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, one pace flat, 4th of 8, 6l behind Pouvoir (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
Harchibald (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway on bit approaching 3 out, led last, shaken up and stayed on flat, won at Newcastle 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs beating Al Eile (11-7) by 2l, 8 ran.
Penzance 40-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on well flat, took 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Osana (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
Punjabi 6-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, 5th 4 out, smooth headway to dispute lead after next, led travelling best entering straight, hard ridden and strongly pressed after last, kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Financia.
Straw Bear (USA) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out until before last, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 20l behind Osana (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
