Missed Approach was heavily punted at Exeter in November but only managed fourth, 20 lengths behind Label Des Obeaux who has subsequently finished third in a decent contest at Cheltenham. Flintham was pulled up on his chasing debut last season but was a useful staying hurdler on his day and is capable of better. Casse Tete won by 10 lengths over a shorter trip at Auteuil in October but has his first run for Gary Moore. CAPTAIN CHAOS (NAP) did well to recover from a juddering mistake on the first circuit at Ascot last month. Up against more experienced novices, he wasn’t given a hard time after yet only finished three lengths behind subsequent Kauto Star hero Royal Vacation – he should go close today with a clear round.
Captain Chaos (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up 4th, blundered badly 7th, given time to recover, went 3rd but not on terms 11th, no chance when weakened into 4th 2 out, last of 4, 11 1/4l behind Politologue (11-6) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Dec.
Casse Tete (FR) (10-7) won at Auteuil 2m 5f sft in Oct beating Chalutier (10-7) by 10l, 13 ran.
Flintham 50-1 (11-5) Led, driven and headed 2 out, weakened before last, 18th of 24, 31 1/4l behind Mall Dini (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
Gorran Haven (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Prom til rdn & wknd app 2 out, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Captain Probus (12-0) at Barbury Racecourse 2m 4f mdn gs in Dec.
Have A Go Hero (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Jumped right and slow at times, always last, losing touch 5th, well behind from 10th, last of 3, dist behind Champers On Ice (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m (3) sft in Dec.
Label Des Obeaux (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, jumped right 9th, not fluent and lost place 12th, mistake 17th and 3 out, closed before 2 out, went 3rd flat, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 8 1/2l behind Singlefarmpayment (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) gd in Dec.
Lala's Sister (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In rear, jumped right and slowly 2nd, not fluent 5th, behind 7th, pulled up before 9th, at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gs in Jun.
Missed Approach (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place before and blundered 7 out, outpaced from next, 4th of 6, 22 1/4l behind American (11-0) at Exeter 3m (3) sft in Nov.
Rock Me Zippo (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never involved, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind River Frost (10-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Dancing Conquest 100-1 (11-0) Soon detached in last pair, continued tailed off, mistake 6th, left remote 4th 2 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Tagrita (11-6) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Gowell (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Soon detached in last pair, continued tailed off, mistake 4th, left remote 5th 2 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Tagrita (11-6) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.