chased winner, ridden along 9th, last and struggling as field came into view at 13th, tailed off
held up in close 4th, chasing winner as field came into view 13th, apparently upsides from 2 out, disputing lead as field came into view final 150 yards, just held close home
chased leading pair, went right 14th, no chance with leading duo next, tailed off
appeared to make all, in lead 13th, apparently joined 2 out, narrow lead as field came into view but pressed 150 yards out, stayed on gamely close home
PUNCHESTOWNS hasn't been seen since failing to justify favouritism in last season's RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old, one of the country's top staying hurdlers before switching his attention to the larger obstacles, remains a cracking prospect over fences and should justify his likely restrictive odds against these rivals. Pride Of Dulcote returns after 15 months on the sidelines but did win his only start over fences to date and should improve further. He has more scope than Hills Of Aran, tailed off in the Hennessy Gold Cup here on his latest start, and Tatenen who is inconsistent and struggles to stay this far.
Hills Of Aran 100-1 (10-0) Mistake 2nd, always behind, tailed off, 9th of 18, well behind Diamond Harry (10-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Punchestowns (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, went 6th 11th, went 4th before 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 9, 24l behind Weapon's Amnesty (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Tatenen (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders on outside, led after 3rd, not fluent 5th, headed after 7th, still well there 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 8, 29l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Pride of Dulcote (FR) 1-3fav (11-0) Led 1st, led approaching 3rd, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Oct '09 beating Any Currency (11-0) by 6l, 3 ran.
