took keen hold, held up until pulled up after 1st
chased leaders, slightly loss place when hit 5th, headway approaching 13th, chased winner approaching 4 out, still every chance 2 out, ridden and hit last, weakened badly flat
chased leaders, blundered 4th, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on from 2 out, stayed on flat, not reached leaders
held up, reminder 6th, driven along 10th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat
not fluent, always in rear, ridden 9th, lost touch 13th, tailed off
chased leaders in 4th, went 3rd 8th, pressing leaders and every chance when blundered badly 3 out, not recover
made all, pushed along from 4 out, driven and stayed on well flat, gamely
chased winner to approaching 4 out, stayed chasing leaders, went 2nd flat and kept on towards finish, always held
always behind, blundered 12th, struggling after, tailed off
A cracking little handicap but one where there are plenty of question marks over a number of the runners. FANEUIL HALL is marginally preferred to Ordre De Bataille and Pipo de Re. Henry Daly has twice saddled the winner of this race in the last eight years and on both occasions Richard Johnson was the jockey on board. Ordre De Bataille's victory at Huntingdon has been boosted by the runner-up, Ping Pong Sivola, who went on to win her next two starts by a combined total of 31 lengths. In light of that a 7lb rise may not be sufficient to stop him and he merits respect. Pipo De Re shaped well when falling at Wincanton and may be seen to better effect at this track on less testing ground than when second at Towcester. Asudo has gone well fresh in the past but has questions to answer along with Orphelin De Collonges, who hasn't built on a promising start. By George didn't look keen to go past at Huntingdon and needs to brush up his jumping as does Very Cool, who hasn't reached the same heights over fences as he did over hurdles. The Spieler has had four career starts with just the two over fences but he doesn't appear to be anything out of the ordinary. Faneuil Hall has been well held in a bumper and in three outings in hurdles but he may be able to improve on those performances now sent chasing on better ground. Philip Hobbs has his string in good form and his gelding is sure to have been well schooled and Faneuil Hill may be able to make the most of a modest mark.
Asudo (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, some progress when hit 13th, weakened after next and pulled up 4 out in race won by Mistress Nell (10-7) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Ordre de Bataille (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 4th, closed 8th, mistake 12th, ridden after 3 out, led and hit last, soon hung right, driven clear, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Dec beating Ping Pong Sivola (9-10) by 7l, 10 ran.
By George (IRE) 9-2fav (11-1) In touch, went 2nd 3 out, challenged last, every chance flat, not go past, 2nd of 18, nk behind Kitski (11-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Pipo De Re (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) Held up, closed 7th, every chance 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Pacco (11-5) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Faneuil Hall (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 15, 24l behind Aqualung (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
The Spieler (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) In touch, mistake 3rd, ridden 14th, ran on to chase winner close home, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Dasher Reilly (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Jul.
Very Cool 2-1fav (10-5) Tracked leaders, mid-division, headway to join leaders 8th, not fluent 11th, pressed leader again from next, ridden after 4 out, soon one pace, 5th of 16, 8l behind Saunders Road (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in D.
South Bank (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, driven to challenge before last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Kitski (11-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 18 ran.
Orphelin Collonges (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Chased leader, led 9th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 10, 20l behind Rustarix (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
