led, headed and reminder after 5th, led again briefly next, mistake 8th, 4th and one pace when fell 4 out
chased leaders, reminders after 8th, behind when left 4th and hampered 4 out, weakened next, left modest 3rd at last
mistake 1st, tracked leaders, led after 5th, not fluent and headed briefly next, headed approaching 3 out, 2 lengths down in 2nd and one pace when left clear last, ridden out
prominent, effort to challenge after 4 out, soon outpaced, no impression approaching next, 3rd and beaten when left 2nd at last
chased leaders, close up in 3rd 4 out, led approaching next, 2 lengths clear and staying on when blundered and unseated rider last
Val D'Arc was travelling well when falling over hurdles at Wincanton last time. He also made a bad blunder the last time he raced over fences and SANDS COVE makes more appeal in this. Charlie Mann's charge finished ahead of Kitegen at Kempton on his reappearance and collateral form with the latter gives him the beating of Arkaim. Tregaro and The Society Man have gone close of late but Mister Wiseman landed a double over course and distance during the summer and is preferred.
Val D'arc (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Led, pressed when fell 2 out, in a race won by Taaresh (10-13) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct, 6 ran.
Sands Cove (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, not fluent 3 out (usual 4 out), chased leaders next, soon one pace, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd on extended run-in, no impression with winner, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Violets Boy (11-9) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Arkaim 25-1 (10-9) Not fluent keen pressed leader until 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 48l behind Roman Flight (11-12) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Mister Wiseman 12-1 (11-12) Led to 4th, outpaced 5 out, ridden 4 out, kept on from 3 out, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Try Catch Me (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct.
The Society Man (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) In touch in 4th, pushed along before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 17l behind Montoya's Son (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct.
Tregaro (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, not always fluent, blundered 3 out, closed 2 out, switched right before last, no impression, 5th of 7, 7l behind Foundation Man (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
