led and soon clear, reduced lead 5th, headed soon after 8th, stayed in 2nd place, never any chance with winner from 3 out
always rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off
held up, stayed on from 3 out, went poor 3rd approaching last
tracked clear leader, closed up 5th, led soon after 8th, clear before 3 out, unchallenged after, eased flat
took keen hold, chased leaders, driven after 7th, no chance from 3 out
not fluent, in touch until 6th, dropped to rear next, tailed off
keen hold, held up, headway to dispute moderate 2nd when blundered and weakened 2 out
The two previous runnings of this contest have yielded two odds-on winners and this can go to another likely favourite in GAUVAIN. Trainer Charlie Mann has his runners in tremendous form and Gauvain went well in defeat last time out at Sandown when runner up to Free World. This ground looks ideal for him, he does need to jump a little more fluently, but it is all about learning here and he should have the edge. Back Among Friends will relish the cut here and he has some invaluable experience to bring to the contest, although Jim Old's runners do not yet appear to be fully firing. Divine Gift has been on the go for a while now but ran with credit on his chasing debut at Fontwell last time and with conditions to suit he looks likely to be able to improve a little again here. Honour's Dream looks a potential danger, as he loves to get his toe in, and he will surely strip much fitter for his recent spin here. The market needs to be checked for a closer guide to his chances. Rapid Increase could get heavily involved if he takes to fences for the first time in public and another market watch is advised but Gauvain is the one for us.
Back Among Friends 6-1 (10-12) Led, jumped left 2nd and 3rd, headed 11th, headed after 3 out, soon eased and pulled up at the last in race won by Montevideo (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Apr, 7 ran.
Country Affair (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, mistake 5th and 6th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Crescent Island (11-3) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Divine Gift 8-1 (11-0) Held up, pecked 8th, steady headway 9th, chased winner 3 out, every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Heathcote (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gs.
Gauvain (GER) 9-1 (11-1) Chased winner from 2nd, ridden when lost 2nd after 3 out, kept on to regain 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Free World (10-7) at Sandown 2m beg chs (3) gs.
Honour's Dream (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Led, headed 3rd, ridden 8th, led briefly approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 36l behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Rapid Increase (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Struggling 7th, always towards rear, 9th of 14, 27l behind Earth Planet (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Sebastiano (FR) 25-1 (11-1) Held up, hampered 8th, blundered 9th, rider lost irons and pulled up 4 out in race won by Free World (10-7) at Sandown 2m beg chs (3) gs, 8 ran.
