in touch in 5th when fell 4th
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6 out until before 2 out, left 2nd from last, kept on same pace
close up, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, outpaced 6 out, left 4th from last, plugged on
held up towards rear, headway before 5 out, one pace when left 3rd from last
in rear early, towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, upsides leader when left in lead and clear last
mid-division, brought down 4th
led, ridden before 3 out, pressed and joined when fell last
Bernardelli could go well if taking to fences, despite top weight. But a lengthy absence may count against Things Change while Ballybogey looks one-paced. Vinny Gambini has already had a couple of run in point-to-points so should take to the larger obstacles and he makes more appeal than Lord Brendy, who may be in need of a confidence-booster, and Tinseltown. TRUST THOMAS was eased when beaten approaching two out on his reappearance over hurdles at Hexham but will strip fitter here. He's generally kept decent company over timber over the last 12 months, winning at Hexham in May, and doesn't look badly treated on his fencing bow.
Bernardelli (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway from 7th, ridden 3 out, challenged last, led flat, driven out, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Apr beating Rugged Jack (11-6) by 2l, 10 ran.
Things Change (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Howwoulduno (10-12) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun '13.
Ballybogey (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Led until after 4th, chased leader, not fluent 10th, lost 2nd after 12th, no extra before last, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Golden Hoof (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Vinny Gambini (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden 7th, lost place 4 out, weakened 2 out, last of 8, 28l behind Granaruid (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Lord Brendy 9-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, fell 7th, in a race won by Sharp Rise (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
Trust Thomas 7-2 (11-4) Held up in rear but in touch, chased leaders 3 out, weakened before 2 out, modest 4th, 4th of 6, well behind Phoenix Returns (11-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Tinseltown 11-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 8, 47l behind Carters Rest (9-7) at Sedgefield 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct.
Clan William (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 12th, ridden after 15th, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 8, 37l behind Sharp Rise (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Oct.