made all, drew clear approaching 2 out, blundered last, easily
not fluent first, tracked leaders, chased winner from fifth, ridden and effort after 4 out, soon beaten
hit first, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up after sixth
chased leaders until seventh, soon behind
chased leaders until eighth, soon lost touch
Andreas is likely to be at short odds for this novices' chase and is hard to oppose in a race where Flying Spirit and Simoun rate the main dangers. The selection has shown improved form of late with wins at Taunton and Cheltenham followed by an unlucky defeat at Perth when clear before falling at the final fence. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding remains one to keep on the right side of and is expected to bounce back from his last time out defeat. Flying Spirit was just about the best of these over hurdles but did not look to be a complete natural over the larger obstacles when beaten on his chase debut by the 113-rated Space Star at Fontwell last month. There may be more to come from Gary Moore's gelding but while his jumping remains of concern he is probably best watched. Neither Heritage Castle nor Moon Shot make much appeal and of more interest is Martin Pipe's Simoun, who was useful over hurdles and made an encouraging chasing debut behind the potentially top class recruit Nyrche at Exeter last month. Andreas has the edge over his rivals on experience though and is taken to make the most of that.
Andreas (FR) 1-2fav Raced cleanly, tracked leader, led 7th, 7 lengths clear and going well when fell in race won by Sardagna at Perth 2m nov chs (C) gs in Apr, 6 ran.
Flying Spirit (IRE) 15-8fav Prominent, smooth headway to lead 4 out, mistake 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Space Star at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) gd in Apr.
Heritage Castle 16-1 Held up in touch, ridden after 9th, weakened quickly and tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Heartache at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (F) hvy in Apr, 5 ran.
Moon Shot 22-1 Pulled hard, blundered 2nd, soon prominent, left in lead 4th, clear after next, headed 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, 9th of 11, well behind Saafend Rocket at Ludlow 2m nov chs (D) gd in Apr.
Simoun (IRE) 5-1 Chased winner, ridden and effort approaching 4 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 22l behind Nyrche at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (E) hvy in Apr.
