held up in touch, took closer order 12th, ridden after 4 out, in 5th and weakening when hampered 3 out
held up, outpaced after 5 out and pushed along, headway after 4 out, ridden to lead next, clear approaching last
in rear, headway to chase leaders 13th, close 4th when blundered 3 out, weakened next
led, blundered 1st, hit 10th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, reminders 7th, hit and left 2nd 11th, ridden and in 3rd when fell 3 out
with leader, fell 11th
Bang And Blame can make the most of his light weight in this long-distance event, with Lutin Du Moulin, Villair and Sylviesbuck all expected to figure in the shake-up. Bang And Blame finally opened his account under rules at Sedgefield last time, coming home a wide-margin winner. The combination of the long trip, allied to his foot-perfect jumping enabled Mick Easterby's nine-year-old to make the most of a decent handicap mark that day, and although saddled with a seven-pound penalty here, he should make a bold bid to follow up from out of the weights proper. Lutin Du Moulin ran well in defeat behind Devondale at Newcastle, and although having to concede weight all round, will stay on at the end, so has to be respected. Villair was third over the course and distance on his latest outing and is another that should be on the premises, while Sylviesbuck will be all the better for his return behind the selection last time but has a bit to do still. Former hunter Gimme Shelter makes little appeal, and Behavingbadly has it to do to turn Newcastle tables on Lutin Du Moulin, who in turn will find Bang and Blame difficult to overcome, with conditions very much in favour of the latter.
Lutin du Moulin (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Held up, in touch, headway to lead 5 out, headed 4 out, one pace next, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Devondale (9-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Nov.
Villair (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along and outpaced approaching 13th, ridden 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Garryvoe (11-10) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Nov.
Behavingbadly (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Towards rear, hit 9th, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 37l behind Devondale (9-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Nov.
Gimme Shelter (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Led, headed 20th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 13, 43l behind Supreme Breeze (10-8) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov.
Sylviesbuck (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Always behind, tailed off halfway, 6th of 15, well behind Bang And Blame (9-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (F) gs in Nov.
Bang And Blame (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) In touch, led 6th, made rest, left clear 2 out, stayed on, eased near finish, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (F) gs in Nov beating To The Future (11-2) by 14l, 15 ran.
