led until 7th, chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, stayed on to take 2nd last, no chance with winner
never fluent, held up, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
keen in rear, headway 3 out, left 2 lengths 2nd when slipped to halt 2 out, not recover
jumped slightly right throughout, soon tracking leaders, ridden after 4 out, 9 lengths 2nd and held when left clear 2 out, lucky
chased leaders, led approaching 8th, pushed clear after 3 out, fell next
prominent, led 7th, headed next, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
Nicky Henderson's horses have tended to need their first run of the season so the chances are that Iambe de La See will strip fitter for the spin her and preference is for Barton Gate, who gets the vote over Found Gold. The last mentioned represents the powerful team of Jonjo O'Neill and Tony McCoy but the son of Saddler's Hall will need to step up on hurdles form to trouble the best of these and did not give much sign of encouragement when pulled up on his chasing debut at Perth in September. Cosmocrat won first time out last term and could be interesting on his reappearance for trainer Richard Lee. He makes more appeal than Wrags To Riches and a bigger threat may come from Kosmos Bleu, who ha shad the benefit of a couple of runs over hurdles this term and now makes his debut over the larger obstacles. The vote though goes to Barton Gate. Paul Keane's gelding was a progressive performer over hurdles last term and has the size to make a chaser. The stable is beginning to hit form so Barton Gate should not fail through lack of peak fitness.
