sweating, took keen hold tracking leading pair, pushed along briefly on paddock bend after 5th, not fluent and pushed along 8th, blundered next, went 2nd after 10th, no chance with unchallenged winner before 4 out
took keen hold tracking winner, jumped big 2nd, not fluent next, lost 2nd after 10th, soon outpaced and no chance, tailed off
mistake 1st, always last, mistake and no chance from 6th, well tailed off and eased before 4 out
mostly jumped well, made all, clear 5th (water), went right 9th, came further clear before 4 out, blundered next, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
French import VUKOVAR couldn't quicken when challenged by the quirky Mr Mole at Warwick on his chasing bow but he'll relish underfoot conditions here and can recoup losses given he gets 13lb from The Queen's Bangor winner Open Hearted, though the latter should certainly win more races this winter. Festive Affair has a bit to prove at present while Kentford Legend was beaten a long way on his fencing debut at Kempton and may need more time.
Open Hearted 2-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd after 3rd, led before 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (4) gs beating Ahyaknowyerself (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Festive Affair (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) In rear, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Open Hearted (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (4) gs, 5 ran.
Kentford Legend 20-1 (11-2) Led, mistake 5th, narrowly headed before 7th, led again before 10th, headed 14th, lost 2nd approaching next where not fluent, soon one pace and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 4, 43l behind Bear's Affair (11-2) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Vukovar (FR) 4-6fav (10-8) Set decent pace, jumped well, soon clear, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Mr Mole (11-0) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) gs.
