made all, clear when hit 2 out, driven out and stayed on well from last
took keen hold, chased winner, dropped to 3rd 9th, left 2nd next, blundered 3 out, held when blundered next, lost 2nd soon after and weakened
held up last, left close 3rd at 10th, mistake 4 out, went 2nd after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, readily held
tracked leading pair, disputing 2nd 5th (water), definite 2nd 9th, challenging when sprawled on landing and unseated rider next
There may only five runners in this novice chase but it promises to be a very informative contest. Cue Card was just caught by Bobs Worth when attempting to concede 7lb over 2m4f here last time and seems sure to be thereabouts again, while For Non Stop made Al Ferof pull out all the stops in a Grade 1 at Sandown four weeks ago and a repeat of that effort here would make him hard to beat. Minella Class couldn't match the speed of Peddlers Cross over this trip at Bangor, however, and may need a bit further while French import Criqtonic looks to be facing a stiff task at the weights for a four-year-old. WALKON was a smart hurdler but looked a natural over fences when readily brushing aside subsequent easy Ascot winner Zaynar at Exeter - he can defy his penalty here.
Cue Card 2-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, led, blundered 4 out, over 2 lengths ahead last, hard driven flat, caught last stride, 2nd of 4, shd behind Bobs Worth (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grade 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Walkon (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Jumped well, tracked leading trio, went 3rd before 7th, tracked leader 10th, led 4 out, in command 2 out, soon drew clear, very easily, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) gs beating Zaynar (11-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
For Non Stop (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden to challenge and every chance flat, kept on, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Al Ferof (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gs.
Minella Class (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, driven to challenge approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Peddlers Cross (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Criqtonic (FR) (10-10) won at Enghien(FR) 2m 1f chs sft in Sep beating Cinq Avril (10-7) by 3l, 9 ran.