tracked leader, led 5th until blundered and unseated rider 8th
led to 5th, left in lead 8th, clear form 4 out, stayed on strongly
prominent until blundered 4th, soon behind, pulled up 9th
towards rear, fell 7th
in touch, left disputing 2nd 8th, clear 2nd when fell 6out
in touch left disputing 2nd 8th, 3rd when left clear 2nd 6out until run in
held up, left 4th at 8th, lost touch 5 out, kept on to go remote second run in
This is usually won by a smart novice and this year should be no exception. Warden Hill has plenty of scope but looks a thorough stayer and this track often suits sharper types. Coneygree defied a long absence to win at Newbury and could figure if that hasn't taken too much out of him. Carraig Mor won a Grade 2 at Newbury last month but Sausalito Sunrise has been no match for Kings Palace in his last two runs at Cheltenham and looks another who benefit from a more searching test. Creepy unseated his rider behind Kings Palace last time so this might rest between the Nicholls pair SAPHIR DU RHEU (NAP) and Virak. The latter has won all three starts over fences, including a Grade 2 last time, but the former was foot-perfect when scoring at Exeter having unseated in Coneygree's race on his fencing bow and looks the stable pick.
Carraig Mor (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Jumped well, made all, went slightly right 13th and next, in command between last two, shaken up and stayed on well run-in, unchallenged, won at Newbury 3m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov beating Southfield Theatre (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
Coneygree 2-1 (11-1) Raced keenish, jumped well, made all, pushed along approaching 3 out, stumbled 3 out, in command 2 out, driven out run-in, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov beating Dell' Arca (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Creepy (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led, not fluent 5th, headed 8th, mistake 12th, fell 15th, in a race won by Kings Palace (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 4-5fav (11-0) Prominent, challenged 3 out, led next, clear last, easily, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) gs beating Horizontal Speed (11-0) by 11l, 8 ran.
Sausalito Sunrise (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, not fluent 15th, hit 3 out, ridden to close 2 out, no impression flat, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Kings Palace (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gs.
Virak (FR) 6-4fav (11-8) Led, headed after 1st, led 3f out, clear over 1f out, readily, won at Doncaster 3m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft beating Wakanda (11-8) by 13l, 4 ran.
Warden Hill (IRE) 6-4 (11-2) Chased leader, 1 length down when left in clear lead 4 out, in no danger after, won at Fakenham 3m beg chs (3) sft in Nov beating Hazzaat (10-0) by well, 3 ran.
