chased leaders, left in lead 4th, headed 8th, ridden after 4 out, rallied 2 out, 4 lengths down in 2nd when fell last
chased leaders, mistake and unseated rider 6th
led, hit 2nd, jumped badly right and headed 4th, blundered 9th, went 2nd approaching 3 out until jumped right and mistake 2 out, left 2nd last, no impression
chased leaders, led 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, left clear last
chased leaders, pushed along after 7th, outpaced from next, no impression
Nonrunner
No Guarantees gets the vote here with Firth Of Forth and Our Jasper rating the main dangers. The selection goes well fresh has conditions to suit and with his yard continuing in good form he is taken to score. Firth Of Forth rates the main danger on his best form but he did not pregress as expected last season and although he could improve for the switch to fences he may need the run after a 336 day break. Our Jasper was fourth behind Tidal Bay last time out but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time. Gemini Storm took a heavy fall last time out but if his confidence has not been effected he would have definite place claims. The remainder have shown very little and are readily opposed and for the winner we return to No Guarantees.
Ballyhale (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Always behind, last of 11, 32l behind Tous Chez (11-2) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Gemini Storm 7-1 (11-3) Held up, pushed along approaching 6th, blundered 7th and fell 5 out in race won by Bermuda Pointe (10-11) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
No Guarantees 5-2jt-fav (10-11) Led, mistake 2nd, blundered badly 8th and headed, led 10th until fell at the 11th in race won by Kaldouas (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Our Jasper 40-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, reminders 9th, mistake next, weakened 4 out, 4th of 5, well behind Tidal Bay (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Present Oriented (USA) 50-1 (10-11) Held up, hit 1st, blundered and unseated rider in race won by Papini (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gf, 8 ran.
Firth Of Forth (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, 3rd before halfway, challenged 4 out, no extra after 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 18, 31l behind Toofarback (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec.