not fluent, chased leading pair, went 2nd 9th until next, weakened 10th, dropped to last trio next, struggling when mistake 13th, tailed off and eased before 3 out
held up in rear, headway into 4th before 4 out, plugged on but never going pace to get competitive
led until 8th, chased leader until next, led again approaching 10th until 12th, lost 2nd next, weakened before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up approaching 2 out
held up in 5th, good headway tracking leaders approaching 7th, 2nd after 11th, led 12th until 3 out, chased winner, ridden between last two, upsides last, strong challenge close home, just failed
took keen hold early, held up in 6th, headway 10th, went 2nd 13th, led 3 out, went right 2 out, strongly pressed when edged left close home, held on gamely
chased leaders, stumbled 1st, weakened 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up in last pair, headway 12th, chased leading pair 14th, pushed along pressing leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and no extra before next
chased leader, led 8th until approaching 10th, chased leader until after 11th, outpaced 14th, plugged on run-in, almost snatched 4th
Nonrunner
COWARDS CLOSE can cap a good day for the Nicholls team by landing this ahead of the fast-improving Tales Of Milan. Nick Schofield's mount may be suited by this sharper track after failing to get up the Cheltenham hill last time. Tales Of Milan has made all for victories at Doncaster and Sandown lately but has gone up another 6lb and may not have the pace to get away from his field over this shorter trip. Silver Commander is ultra-consistent and can make the frame again while Ballinvarrig has been dropped a couple of pounds since his latest fifth at Ascot. Cantlow, Loose Chips and Shangani remain out of sorts, however, and Wings Of Smoke has been off the track since the spring.
Cantlow (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Sometimes jumped right, chased leading trio, jumped slowly 9th, ridden and weakened after 11th, tailed off before 4 out, 6th of 8, 27l behind No Buts (10-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Wings Of Smoke (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, mistake 7th and 11th, headway 4 out, hit 2 out, soon went 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 20l behind Minella For Value (11-3) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in May.
Loose Chips 20-1 (10-7) Led until blundered and headed 12th, chased leading pair, weakened 4 out, last of 8, 42l behind No Buts (10-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Shangani (USA) 16-1 (11-9) With leaders until not fluent 7th, stayed handy, lost place 11th, plugged on flat, no impression, 6th of 9, 12l behind Ultragold (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs.
Ballinvarrig (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Held up in mid-division on inside, crept closer approaching 4 out, reached 5th 3 out, one pace and no impression before next, 5th of 11, 13l behind Grandads Horse (11-12) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Silver Commander 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 11th, headway when not fluent 4 out, challenged 3 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Ziga Boy (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Cloudy Bob (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up last, pushed along and struggling before 13th, modest 5th and no chance when went right last, 5th of 8, 26l behind Ned Stark (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcap ch (3) sft in Nov.
Tales Of Milan (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Made all, hard driven 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft beating There's No Panic (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
American Spin 66-1 (11-0) Raced wide, took keen hold in last pair, last from 3rd, tailed off 4 out, last of 6, well behind Medinas (11-0) at Newbury 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Cowards Close (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Held up in touch in mid-division, ridden on 3rd after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Benbane Head (9-11) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs.
