led 2nd until 11th, soon weakened, tailed off
led until 2nd, prominent, hit 3rd, mistake 6th, weakening when mistakes 11th and 12th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
held up, took closer order 8th, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner from 2 out
held up, took closer order 8th, led 11th, drew clear 3 out, very easily
jumped badly right throughout, soon well behind, pulled up after 9th
chased leaders until 8th, gradually lost touch, tailed off when fell 2 out
Nonrunner
This looks a decent beginners' chase for the time of year with several interesting contenders including Snoopy Loopy, Peeyoutwo and Unleash but the vote goes to Fontanesi, who is taken to open his account over fences. The County Hurdle winner has not scored since landing the festival meeting finale but has run well in defeat and looked as though he might have made a winning start to his new career until falling at the water three out here last time. Provided that he is none the worse for that tumble, Martin Pipe's gelding looks worth another chance, over a trip that should suit him better. The Philip Hobbs-trained Unleash was arguably the best of these over hurdles but the son of Benny The Dip is hardly bred for this game and of more interest may be Peter Bowen's progressive and lightly raced Snoopy Loopy, who has the assistance of Tony McCoy. Point-to-point recruits Lost Treasure and River Dante have yet to prove their effectiveness under rules and a bigger threat is likely to come from another ex-pointer Peeyoutwo, who has run with credit over regulation fences of late. Fontanesi has the basic ability to take this though and is fancied to gain his first success since landing the County Hurdle.
River Dante (IRE) 14-1 (12-5) pulled up in race won by Sir William (12-5) at Umberleigh 3m ptp frm in Jun, 6 ran.
Shanbally Lad (IRE) (12-0) 6th of 10, 35l behind Bronx Tale (12-0) at Kilworth 3m ptp in Mar.
Unleash (USA) 10-11fav (11-0) With leader until weakened quickly approaching 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by On The Outside (10-7) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (E) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
Fontanesi (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Held up, headway 9th, ridden and close 3rd when fell 3 out in race won by One Cornetto (11-1) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (D) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
Penthouse Melody 7-2 (11-9) 4th of 11, 29l behind Wallace's Word (11-7) at Bratton Down 3m ptp gd in Jun.
Lost Treasure (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) 2nd of 7, 25l behind Hawaadej (12-0) at Bonvilston 3m ptp gf in May.
Peeyoutwo 5-2fav (10-12) Prominent, led 7th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Milord Lescribaa (10-12) at Worcester 2m beg chs (E) gd.
Snoopy Loopy (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 2nd from 4 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, stayed on well under pressure, won at Punchestown 2m nov hdl sft in Apr beating The Railway Man (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 25 ran.
