took keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd at 5th, 2nd before 4 out, edged left from 2 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out, weakened into 3rd run-in
jumped right always last, losing touch when went right and mistake 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
led until not fluent 8th, chased winner until pushed along before 4 out, mistake next, ridden and no impression when weakened into 4th 2 out
jumped well, chased leader, led 8th, made rest, pushed along before 4 out, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly
tracked leading pair until 5th, pushed along and outpaced as pace lifted before 4 out, blundered 4 out, rallied into 3rd 2 out, went 2nd and hung left run-in, never able to challenge
Yanworth, a high-class hurdler, made a winning start over fences but fell on a return visit. WILLOUGHBY COURT was rated 13lb lower over timber but was himself a smart performer. He won the Neptune Investment at Cheltenham in March and promises to be even better over the bigger obstacles judged on his defeat of a subsequent winner at Huntingdon, where his jumping improved as the race developed. Western Miller was only caught in the shadows of the post at Sandown last time and will try to make the most of experience while Adrien Du Pont had plenty in hand when scoring at Fontwell, though looks held by the selection on collateral form. Battle Anthem is facing a very tough task on his reappearance but should win races this winter.
Adrien Du Pont (FR) 4-7fav (11-5) Held up in rear, went 3rd 4 out, 2nd going well 3 out, led before last, shaken up to assert flat, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gd in Oct beating Pickamix (11-5) by 2l, 6 ran.
Battle Anthem (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Ww in rr, clsr 4out, ld aftr 2out, 3l adv when gd jump last, sow, in command, won at Lingstown 3m sft in Mar beating Barossa Pearl (11-11) by 3l, 7 ran.
Western Miller (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Led to after 3rd, tracked leader, led again 12th, 1 length advantage last, soon ridden, kept on until edged right and headed final strides, 2nd of 11, nk behind Jameson (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Willoughby Court (IRE) 2-5fav (11-2) Jumped left, made all, dropped hind legs in fence 3rd, not fluent 4th or 13th, pressed strongly last, quickened up best flat, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (3) gd in Nov beating Casablanca Mix (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Yanworth 2-9fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, fell 5th, at Exeter 2m 3f (3) gs in Nov.
