led, joined 9th, ridden and kept on well when strongly pressed run-in, headed post
held up off the pace in last, awkward 5th, pushed along and outpaced 8th, kept on run-in, almost snatched never nearer 3rd
raced wide, chased leader and jumped left at times, challenged from 9th, upsides when went left last, hung left under pressure run-in, led post
chased leading pair, outpaced and no chance 2 out, just held on for well held 3rd
NonRunner
Champagne Platinum won over hurdles here last season but was let down by his jumping when making his chasing bow at Cheltenham. Moonlighter was hampered and unseated his rider at Haydock leaving PRECIOUS CARGO to coast home ahead of one remaining rival. The winner should strip fitter today and can again come out on top. Vado Forte went close here last month but is 4lb higher but Champagne City will need to improve on his first run over the larger obstacles here in November.
Precious Cargo (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, left in 2nd 3rd, mistake 7th, led 4 out, drew clear after next, very easily, won at Haydock 2m (3) hvy in Dec beating Coole Well (10-12) by 19l, 3 ran.
Champagne Platinum (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Not fluent in rear, behind 13th, 5th of 6, dist behind Mister Fisher (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec.
Moonlighter 11-8 (10-12) Led until 2nd, blundered and unseated rider next, at Haydock 2m (3) hvy in Dec.
Vado Forte (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Held up off the pace in 6th, headway chasing leaders approaching 4 out, went 2nd between last 2, ridden and every chance from elbow on run-in, just failed, 3rd of 10, shd behind Defi Sacre (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Champagne City 16-1 (11-8) Reminders and struggling after 5th, always behind, 7th of 8, 25l behind Fanion D'estruval (11-1) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
