led, joined 7th, narrowly headed next, stayed chasing winner but held from after 2 out
chased leading pair, challenged 3 out, one pace from next
tracked leader, challenged 7th, led next, in command 2 out, jumped left last, driven out
tracked leaders in 4th, challenged and upsides when fell 3 out
A poor contested handicap chase with only Haafel, Vigoureux, Imaginaire and Tanikos taking their chance but the vote goes to the last named. A faller when in with every chance two out at Huntington last time out, Tanikos can make amends here. Nicky Henderson has yet get his team in full swing but the ones he's run have been running well. This horse will have come on for his seasonal reappearance and as long as his confidence has not been affected as a result of his fall he is one to stay on the right side of. Imaginaire comes from a yard starting to produce winners. He won well at Stratford on his last run of last season but looked in need of the run in testing conditions at Chepstow last time out. He again will strip fitter as a result and is one to note. Vigoureux and Haafel may be better on faster ground conditions but are more than up to the task if fit and well but for the winner we return to Tanikos.
Tanikos (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Led to 7th, ever chance when fell 2 out in race won by Bill's Echo (9-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Imaginaire (USA) 12-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden and effort 5 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 45l behind Va Vavoom (11-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Oct.
Haafel (USA) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, close 3rd when brought down 5 out in race won by Master d'Or (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Oct, 7 ran.
Vigoureux (FR) 8-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, in 2nd when blundered 4th, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 4, 35l behind Croix De Guerre (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov chs (D) gd in Jun.
