tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, hit 4th, led and blundered 6th, soon headed, hampered 9th, mistake 12th, soon one pace
towards rear and keen, ridden 8th, behind from 10th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 10th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, left poor 3rd 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden when hit 11th, weakening and mistake at 12th, soon pulled up
in touch, went 2nd from 7th, left in lead 9th, ridden when headed 2 out, weakened after last
in rear, stumbled 1st, mistakes, closer order 11th, hard ridden when mistake 4 out, kept on under pressure
led, headed briefly 6th, fell heavy 9th
in touch, went 2nd from 11th, driven to lead 2 out, in command when blundered last
mid-division and jumped left throughout, hampered 9th, ridden 4 out, close up in 3rd when fell 2 out
towards rear, closer order 9th, ridden and weakened after 4 out
in rear, jumped right 4th, lost place from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
Paul Nicholls has a great record with French-bred chasers and he can strike again with Taranis, who can reverse last season's form with Montgermont on these terms, but may have more to fear from Escompteur, who gained plenty of chasing experience by being kept on the go during the summer. This trip looks to be just about right for Martin Pipe's charge and he is expected to be hard to keep out of the frame if he runs to his best. Montgermont probably did himself few favours with the handicapper by finishing just four lengths behind Iris's Gift at Bangor in October. He is a consistent type but already looks harshly treated from a mark of 125. It will take a good effort from him to give weight away all round. Carthys Cross is another worth a mention, as he progressed nicely over hurdles and shapes as if he can make his mark over fences. The ground should be to his liking today and he can go well for each-way punters. However, Taranis fits a typical profile of a horse to keep on the right side from one of the top yards in the country. The son of Mansonnien was deliberately restricted to just two outings last season; creating a fair impression both times. However, Taranis is expected to come into his own as a chaser and has his first chance to prove his worth this afternoon.
Montgermont (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Chased leader, mistake 3rd, hit 9th, led 3 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden and headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Spirit of New York (11-0) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (D) sft in Oct.
Wizard of Edge 100-1 (10-5) Pulled hard, tracked leaders until saddle slipped and pulled up at the 4th in race won by Racing Demon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (C) gs, 8 ran.
O'Toole (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-5) Mistake and blundered 1st, chased leaders, hit 8th, weakening when not fluent 4 out, no chance when blundered 2 out, 5th of 11, 24l behind Without A Doubt (11-5) at Sandown 2m beg chs (D) gs.
Royal Katidoki (FR) Evensfav (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, well behind Yes Sir (11-10) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Escompteur (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, led 4th, headed after 4 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 14l behind Blakeney Coast (10-6) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf in Jul.
Kawagino (IRE) 22-1 (10-8) Pulled hard, held up, headway 4th, challenged on bit approaching 2 out, no chance with winner soon after 2 out, kept on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Verasi (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs.
Misty Dancer 9-1 (10-12) Blundered and fell at the 3rd in race won by Wicked Nice Fella (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (D) gs, 8 ran.
Taranis (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) In touch, headway 3rd, ridden 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Its Crucial (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Gaelic Flight (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, led after 3 out, headed next and one pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Into The Shadows (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs.
Nadover (FR) 3-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, smooth headway after 3 out, effort next, ridden and kept on flat, not pace of winner, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Von Origny (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (D) hvy.
Scotch Corner (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 5 out, weakened before next, 8th of 9, well behind Devondale (9-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs.
Carthys Cross (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 4 out, narrowly headed next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Royal Hector (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) gs.
