prominent when fell 1st
held up, hampered 1st, not jump well throughout, under pressure and jumped left 8th, soon detached, remote 4th
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, slow 6th, hit 10th, soon faded, behind when pulled up 3 out
pulled hard early, held up in touch, bad mistake 13th, soon weakened, pulled up before next
held up in touch, reminders 11th, mistake 13th, soon weakened, remote 3rd
tracked leader, mistake 12th, ridden to challenge 13th, led next, under pressure and hit 2 out, all out
tracked leaders, blundered badly 3rd, not jump well after, jumped right and mistake 14th, weakening when fell next
led, not fluent 12th, headed 4 out, rallied until weakened after 2 out
Bagan, O'Maley, and Livingonaknifedge are the three to make the shortlist in a race where few can be written off and Bagan can come out on top. O'Maley won a French hurdle at Auteuil but has yet to show winning form in this country, finishing a disappointing fourth at Bangor on his seasonal re-appearance. He can be expected to improve for the run but is passed over. Rated 130 over hurdles, Livingonaknifedge looks potentially well treated here, especially after a game success in what looked a decent contest at Exeter last time. He is race fit and sure to have gained confidence from that win. A winner at Bangor in July, Bagan was having his first run since when finishing a good third at Folkestone recently. He is genuine and thoroughly consistent, and Bagan can come out on top in a tricky affair.
O'maley (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Prominent, weakened 4 out, 4th of 12, 15l behind Money Order (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
For All Mankind 8-1 (10-5) Bumped and unseated rider in race won by French Saulaie (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Champagne Harry 16-1 (11-11) Held up in rear when fell 5 out in race won by Tidal Bay (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct, 5 ran.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Mid-division, chased leader 6th, led 4 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure from 2 out, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Jarro (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
No Regrets (FR) 3-1 (11-8) Keen, led to 2nd, remained pressing, led 8th, ridden after 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Or de Grugy (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Nov.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 11-8fav (10-13) In touch, prominent 8th, went 2nd 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 32l behind Willyanwoody (11-4) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (3) gf in Oct.
Jim Edwards (IRE) 5-2fav (10-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, led 12th until approaching 4 out, ridden to lead 3 out, not fluent and headed last, no extra, 4th of 9, 4l behind Special Conquest (9-11) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Junctiontwentyfour 8-1 (10-3) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Ibberton (10-4) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Bagan (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Cossack Dancer (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
