led to 2nd, chased winner to 13th, hit next, no chance when left poor 2nd 2 out, distant 2nd 2 out
tracked leading pair, hit 1st, chased winner 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, no chance when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
jumped poorly in rear, hit 1st, 6th and 12th, struggling in last when blundered 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led 2nd, made rest, hit 3rd and 9th, clear when hit 14th, well on top, eased run-in
MICHEL LE BON is narrowly preferred to Pettifour and Bench Warrent. Paul Nicholls has been firing in plenty of winners recently and although Michel Le Bon has been off the racecourse since March, he has gone well fresh in the past. He has some smart form over hurdles and he has always shaped as though he would make into a decent chaser, and we are quite hopeful that he can open his account in this sphere today. Pettifour looks the main danger as he did win well on his chasing debut at Cheltenham and he does have ground conditions to suit. There should be more to come and connections have some lofty ambitions for him. Bench Warrent won his chasing debut at Market Rasen and although it is questionable what he beat that day, he could not have been more impressive and this longer trip today is also in his favour. It will be a surprise if either Cannington Brook or Maidstone Mixture are good enough to get competitive, and we will return to Michel Le Bon who looks the one to beat.
Bench Warrent (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, left in lead 10th, clear 3 out, eased flat, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs 0-120 (3) sft beating Pamak D'airy (11-3) by 18l, 6 ran.
Pettifour (IRE) 8-11fav (10-13) Made most, mistake 9th, jumped right 11th, narrowly headed 3 out, rallied to regain lead well before last, ridden and stayed on gamely flat, won at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft beating Toby Jug (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Cannington Brook (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) In touch, chased leaders 12th, chased winner approaching 3 out, stayed challenging until no extra from last, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Jaunty Journey (10-13) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Oct.
Michel Le Bon (FR) 4-9fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led after 5th, drew well clear before 2 out, very easily, won at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Run For Moor (11-2) by 21l, 6 ran.
Maidstone Mixture (FR) 20-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 5th, headed 10th, chasing leaders when fell 13th, in a race won by Bay Cherry (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy, 7 ran.
