Buffalo Bob stepped up on his second to Summery Justice at Bangor when beating Sound Stage at Newbury next time. There may not be much between the latter pair at the weights today, however. Polyfast can run well fresh, while Pickamus would have claims if rediscovering the form he showed in the spring. Calusa Caldera is worth another try at this longer trip around here, while Paul Nicholls' pair Meanus Dandy and Five Dream have the ability to figure at their best. But we like the look of course specialist LE BURF, who has dropped to a very attractive mark and will have his weight further reduced by Tom Molloy's claim. Richard's Sundance and Pigeon Island may be the pick of the remainder.
Tatenen (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders on outside, led after 3rd, not fluent 5th, headed after 7th, still well there 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 8, 29l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Meanus Dandy (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Tracked winner to 8th, mistake 11th, 5th and in touch when unseated rider 15th ( canal turn), in a race won by Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Pickamus (FR) 15-2 (11-1) Chased leader 2nd, led after 7th until 9th, led again after 3 out, headed and weakened approaching 2 out,, 5th of 8, 26l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Summery Justice (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway halfway, chased leader 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov beating Buffalo Bob (11-8) by 8l, 11 ran.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leader until 7th, prominent, stumbled badly 9th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 12, 17l behind Rustarix (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Fortification (USA) 13-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, ridden and well there 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 16, 25l behind Buck Magic (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Theatrical Moment (USA) 8-1 (11-11) Always in rear, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Rustarix (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Five Dream (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led narrowly 11th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Matuhi (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) With leader, led 5th to before 8th, led again next, hard pressed from 4 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, held on towards finish, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov beating Sound Stage (11-11) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Sound Stage 4-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 8th, went 2nd 11th, effort when mistake 4 out, kept on and every chance until ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Buffalo Bob (11-6) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Pigeon Island 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, hit 9th, soon under pressure, no impression when hampered 3 out, 7th of 16, 34l behind Poquelin (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs.
Polyfast (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway on outside 5th, hampered 9th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Grand Slam Hero (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul, 16 ran.
Le Burf (FR) 13-2 (11-9) Tracked winner 3rd until hit 14th, weakened 4 out, 3rd of 6, 37l behind Quinz (11-8) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Il Duce (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Raced in last, pecked 1st, not fluent 3rd, ridden 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Soixante (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Close up, led 8th, headed approaching 10th, every chance approaching 4 out, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 16l behind Chance Du Roy (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Apr.
Calusa Caldera (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 11th, pushed along after 3 out, held when blundered 2 out, no extra soon after, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Shakalakaboomboom (11-1) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Roseneath (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Raced keenly, held up behind, headway to track leading pair after 4 out, went 2nd next, effort last, ridden and stayed on flat to lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Nov beating Rebel Melody (10-10) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
