led until 7th, led 10th, headed 13th, led 4 out, ridden and pressed 2 out, stayed on gamely flat
tracked leaders, not fluent 14th, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra before last
with leader, took keen hold, led 7th until 10th, led 13th, headed 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace flat
held up in 5th, headway when stumbled slightly 4 out, challenged on bit 2 out, ridden, hung left and not ran on flat
held up in 4th, pushed along 14th, outpaced from 4 out
Having been beaten in small fields at Southwell and Worcester since scoring on his chasing debut, Chesapeake looks worth taking on here. Worcester winner Liberate also has questions to answer after a woeful effort when odds-on at Perth last time, while Earth Planet hasn't been seen since finally breaking his duck over fences at Hereford in June and things have gone a little quiet at Ditcheat recently. RUSSIAN WAR has been off the track even longer but is expected to make a name for himself over the larger obstacles this winter and gets 6lb from the previous winners in the race. Successful in five of his last seven starts over hurdles and a winner between the flags earlier in his career, Gordon Elliott's eight-year-old gets the nod though fellow chasing newcomer Sangfroid also has some potential if treating the fences with respect.
Chesapeake (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 3 out, pressed winner next, soon under pressure, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Comehomequietly (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
Earth Planet (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Took keen hold early stages, tracked leaders, travelling easily 2 out, produced on inside to quicken and lead for hand riding final 120 yards, won at Hereford 3m 1f beg chase (4) gd in Jun beating Arkose (11-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Liberate 4-6fav (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, never trouble leaders, 3rd of 4, 43l behind Cottage Oak (11-12) at Perth 3m nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
Russian War (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up in last pair, smooth headway on outside approaching 3 out, challenged on bit next, led narrowly last, stayed on, unextended flat, cheekily, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-155 (2) gd in Apr beating Attaglance (10-8) by 1l, 8 ran.
Sangfroid 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, 9th of 14, 39l behind Cloudy Spirit (11-4) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
