held up, close up 3rd, ridden 4 out, challenging for 2nd when blundered last, driven and ran on strongly, not quite reach winner(ran without tongue tie)
prominent, ridden and every chance from 4 out until last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, led 4 out, driven and all out, just held on
always in rear, tailed off
led, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, headway before 4 out, chased leaders, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden 3 out, weakened next
held up when stumbled on landing and unseated rider 4th
in rear, steady headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner 2out, kept on one pace
held up, pushed along and lost ground 7th, ridden 4 out, kept on, not trouble leaders
Un Anjou went close at Worcester on his penultimate start and can figure with a similar effort. Ballycool won at Uttoxeter in September but failed to cope with a 10lb rise at Ayr last time while Saddlers Deal has returned a losing favourite on his last couple of outings and this looks no easier. CHESTNUT BEN continues to improve over fences and went close to catching the winner at Fakenham on his latest start. The handicapper has taken a chance leaving him on the same mark so Peter Winks' charge gets the vote.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Not fluent tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th until ridden next, rallied to chase winner last, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Hi Tide (11-4) at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Why But Why (USA) 7-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, never a threat, 5th of 8, 39l behind Roserrow (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Un Anjou (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, one pace approaching next, soon ridden, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Dance Floor King (11-4) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs.
Ballycool (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up in last pair, soon well off the pace, ridden after 12th, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Redpender (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Regal D'estruval (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, soon lost place, struggling 11th, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind The Ould Lad (11-2) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs.
Yourholidayisover (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Keen always in rear, 6th of 12, well behind Spanish Fleet (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Saddlers Deal (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) In rear and in touch, ridden before last, soon chased winner, always well held, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Muwalla (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Red Tanber (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, blundered 1st, struggling from 9th, well behind 10th, tailed off 13th, pulled up after, in a race won by Redpender (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 6 ran.
Wot A Shot (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after next, never on terms, 5th of 7, 21l behind Formal Bid (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs in Oct.
Tweedo Paradiso (NZ) 4-1 (10-8) Chasing leaders, when hampered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Shine A Diamond (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 4 ran.
