pressed leader, led narrowly 12th, in command bypassing omitted 2 out, soon drew well clear, easily
chased leading pair throughout, went left and niggled along 10th, pushed along when not fluent 13th, soon lost touch with leading duo
not fluent, took keen hold and held up in rear, weakened and struggling 11th, plugged on from 2 out
raced wide, mostly chased leading trio, weakened 11th, soon in rear, tailed off
slight lead but pressed, narrowly headed 12th, chased winner, ridden and no chance with winner between last 2, well clear of 3rd
Orange Nassau has his first start for Charlie Longsdon having already had 14 runs over fences in France. He might struggle to keep tabs on FIRST FANDANGO, who tackled decent opposition in his first two starts over the larger obstacles before easily justifying short odds at Fakenham. Tim Vaughan's six-year-old should be too good for these. Camden won over 2m4f at Plumpton but then fell at the last when well beaten in a handicap at Fakenham and has a bit to prove now. John's Gem won over hurdles at Plumpton last month but may need today's experience and Isthereadifference has shown little so far under Rules, though has won a point-to-point.
Camden (IRE) 5-2 (11-8) Close up, ridden and struggling 12th, went 3rd 2 out, no chance with leading pair when fell last, in a race won by Cross Of Honour (11-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
First Fandango 8-11fav (10-11) Not fluent chased leader, left in lead 12th, made rest, ridden clear 2 out, ran on, won at Fakenham 3m beg chs (3) gs in Nov beating Brady (11-2) by 12l, 5 ran.
Isthereadifference (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off 6th, 15th of 17, well behind Big Society (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy.
John's Gem 11-4fav (11-2) Led first, tracked leader, led again soon after 10th, joined next, driven and all out, won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec beating Sudden Light (10-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Orange Nassau (FR) 4-1 (11-7) 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Star De La Plesse (10-3) at Compiegne(FR) 2m 7f chs sft in Sep.