chased leading pair, led going well 4 out, 2 lengths ahead last, stayed on well to draw clear flat
led until 4th, disputing 4th when blundered and unseated rider 10th
took keen hold early, chased leading trio until dropped to 5th 10th, struggling from 4 out
behind, struggling in 6th after 10th, went left next, tailed off, bled from the nose
chased leader, chased winner 4 out, 2 lengths down last, weakened flat, lost 2nd close home
always behind, struggling in last pair 10th, tailed off
held up in touch, under pressure in modest 4th after 10th, no chance with leading trio
tended to jump right, not fluent 1st, chased leader, led 4th, went right and headed 4 out, soon 3rd, rallied flat, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
always behind, struggling in rear 10th, tailed off
Ghizao reaped the benefit of his debut second over fences by slamming CAPTAIN CHRIS by 10 lengths at Cheltenham on his next start. The runner-up is 10lb better off now, however, and sure to have learned from his first start over the larger obstacles. He will also be suited by this extra quarter-mile so is fancied to turn the tables on the Nicholls' runner. The four-year-olds Lucky To Be and Surfing have both had plenty of experience in France, but this looks a particularly hot heat with Dee Ee Williams and Little George coming here on the back of recent wins and Balzaccio likely to improve as he gains experience.
Ghizao (GER) 13-2 (11-2) Jumped well, chased leader, led after 4th, joined before 3 out, asserted soon after 2 out, shaken up and drew away from last, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov beating Captain Chris (11-2) by 10l, 5 ran.
Dee Ee Williams (IRE) 1-2fav (11-0) Chased leader, challenged 5th, upsides when left alone next, won at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov, 3 ran.
Little George (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up in last trio, pushed along briefly when not fluent 6th, good headway on inside before 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, closed last, driven and stayed on strongly to lead final 150 yards, won at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Lordsbridge (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Lucky To Be (FR) 13-2 (10-5) 5th of 10, 16l behind Katenko (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 5f 4yo chs Grd 3 hvy in Nov.
Surfing (FR) (9-13) 5th of 7, 11l behind Soleil De Sivola (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 4f chs Grade 3 (1) sft in Jun.
Babysitter (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden before 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off, last of 7, 34l behind Chicago Grey (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gd in Oct.
Balzaccio (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up, in touch when pushed along briefly 8th, not fluent 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Golan Way (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Captain Chris (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Chased leading trio, went 3rd before 4 out, pushed along and not pace of front pair after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on from last, took 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Ghizao (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Sonning Star (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Held up last, mistake 9th, headway 11th, went 3rd next, travelling ok and close enough when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Shakalakaboomboom (11-1) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
