eld up in touch, jumped slowly 4th, driven and headway between last 2 challenged last, led early run-in, driven out
tracked leader until hit 6th, stayed prominent, ridden and mistake 4 out, weakened before 2 out
took keen hold in touch, went 2nd 6th, hit next, led before and mistake 4 out, jumped right 2 out, headed soon after last, one pace run-in
in touch, mistake 9th, went 2nd 4 out, driven and every chance last, no extra run in and lost third on run-in
always behind, not fluent 8th, ridden and struggling soon after 9th
tended to jump right, led, headed before 4 out, stayed challenging, driven last, took third near finish
always behind, struggling when blundered 4 out
chased leaders, blundered 6th, ridden before 4 out, weakening when blundered next, pulled up before 2 out
A competitive affair can go to Cornish Sett over Phar Out Phavorite, Green Tango, Lustral du Seuil and Garde Champetre. A host of promising young chasers line up here in a race that could throw up one or two live contenders for the Arkle, and preference is for Cornish Sett. The Paul Nicholls inmate was a progressive sort over hurdles, ending last season with a win over Coat Of Honour at Ayr in April. He made Chilling Place pull out all the stops on his chase debut at Exeter in October as the pair finished clear, and with normal improvement he should be capable of going one better, with the blinkers to sharpen him up. Mind you he does take on good company today, and it will be no cakewalk, with Phar Out Phavorite just one danger. His stable is in good order at present, a fact emphasised by his comeback victory over hurdles at Ludlow after a five-month absence, and although the ground might be a bit too soft for him, he has the scope to do well over fences. So does Green Tango who will come on a bundle for his return behind Racing Demon at Exeter. Lustral du Seuil, a close second at Sandown to Without A Doubt with the third 16 lengths away, and Garde Champetre who probably needs to brush up his jumping based on his latest effort at Cheltenham, can also be considered, and in a fascinating contest, a narrow vote goes to Cornish Sett.
Cornish Sett (IRE) 11-8 (11-6) Held up, headway 4 out, mistake next, ridden 3 out, every chance when tried to run out approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Chilling Place (11-6) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (D) gs in Oct.
Garde Champetre (FR) 7-2co-fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, hit 8th, headway 2 out, stayed on same pace, not trouble leaders, 4th of 9, 13l behind Crozan (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (B) gs.
Green Tango 33-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden and one pace from 4 out, 4th of 8, 24l behind Racing Demon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (C) gs.
Lustral du Seuil (FR) 4-1jt-fav (11-5) Mistake 1st, held up, in rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased winner next, not quicken flat, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Without A Doubt (11-5) at Sandown 2m beg chs (D) gs.
Mighty Matters (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leader, weakened quickly 3 out, 9th of 11, 37l behind Without A Doubt (11-5) at Sandown 2m beg chs (D) gs.
Phar Out Phavorite (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Always prominent, led approaching 6th, ridden, ran on flat, won at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Oct beating Hatch A Plan (10-6) by 1l, 11 ran.
Tusk 18-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, 45l behind Perouse (10-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov '04.
Offemont (FR) 8-1 (10-7) In touch, chased leaders from 4 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Without A Doubt (11-5) at Sandown 2m beg chs (D) gs.
