keen early, held up in 5th, smooth headway to go 2nd 3 out, led after next, edged left and ridden flat, ran on well
mistake 1st, tracked leading pair, ridden approaching 3 out, soon lost place, kept on same pace under pressure from next, no impression
led, headed 6th, led again after next to 4 out, soon driven and outpaced, ridden after next, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th, in touch when stumbled badly and unseated rider approaching 10th
raced keenly, tracked leader, led 6th to after next, pressed leader, led again 4 out, headed narrowly after 2 out, every chance last until ridden and one pace flat
held up in rear, headway and in touch 4 out, ridden and effort after next, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, no impression
A competitive novices' chase in which it may pay to take a chance with ASHFIELD'S DREAM. The Irish point winner showed a decent level of form over hurdles with his six length second to Quantitativeeasing at Newbury probably his best effort but his future was always going to lie over the larger obstacles and he may be able to make the perfect start to his chasing career. Ballyvesey merits respect having finished in the money on eight of his nine runs over fences and he should put his experience to good use whilst Diaco has shown progressive form in handicaps and may have more to offer. C'Monthehammers didn't run too badly at Carlisle and may be able to improve on that form over a trip which should also suit Premier Sagas and chasing newcomer Mr Moonshine.
Ashfield's Dream (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leader until not fluent 4th, led and jinked left approaching 3 out, headed before 2 out, no extra last, 4th of 11, 10l behind General Ting (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Ballyvesey (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Chased winner from 3rd, driven after 4 out, soon no chance, kept on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Gullible Gordon (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
C'Monthehammers (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Led, jumped slow 1st, jumped left 2nd, headed and jumped slightly left 8th, pushed along and reminder approaching 11th, jumped left 4 out, ridden and disputed 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Alvarado (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Oct.
Diaco (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, ridden last, stayed on to challenge flat, led final strides, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep beating Classic Fly (10-10) by shd, 10 ran.
Mr Moonshine (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Raced keenly, with leader, led 7th, headed 3 out, soon one pace and no chance with winner, lost 2nd approaching last, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs in Oct.
Premier Sagas (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, in 5th and one pace when hampered 5 out, kept on from next, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Divers (11-2) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
