tracked leaders, not fluent 1st or 2nd, lost place after next, headway before 10th, mistake 2 out, went 2nd before last, stayed on, no impression on winner
held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 8th, ridden 11th, outpaced 4 out, weakened next
held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 9th
held up on outside, headway after 3rd, led after 6th, not fluent 9th, soon headed, led again 12th, headed before not fluent 2 out, lost 2nd and beaten when mistake last, no extra flat
prominent, bumped 1st, led after 9th until 12th, led again before 2 out, driven out
towards rear, ridden 7th, well beaten from 12th, went modest 4th before last
tracked leaders, blundered 2nd, mistake 12th, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
led, jumped right 1st, blundered 6th, soon headed, lost place before 10th, soon behind, tailed off 11th, pulled up after
Both Ofarel D'Airy and Chapoturgeon have defied top weight to win this is recent years and PENMORE MILL should have the class to defy his welter burden. Fred Hutsby's charge only weakened close home at Cheltenham last month and the drop in distance will suit. Bermuda Boy usually makes the frame and has place prospects again but Swallows Delight may be better treated on his third to Shy John at Leicester in February. Double Bank was 19 lengths ahead of Sangfroid over a longer trip here last time and should confirm the form, despite the latter re-opposing on 9lb better terms. Delta Borget looks best of the rest.
Double Bank (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) In rear, blundered 8th, blundered 16th, went 2nd from next, ridden before 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Iron Chancellor (11-9) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hts chs (6) hvy.
Restezen D'armor (FR) 20-1 (12-0) A bhnd; to & pu aft 14, in a race won by Steeltown (12-0) at Taunton Vale Harriers and Foxhou 3m ptp in Apr, 6 ran.
Bermuda Boy (FR) 11-1 (11-11) Tracked leader, ridden and one pace from before 2 out, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Oscar Time (12-0) at Uttoxeter 3m hts chs (6) gd.
Delta Borget (FR) 10-1 (11-3) In rear, went 3rd before 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Gwanako (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f (5) gs.
Swallows Delight (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Led to 3rd, tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, driven 2 out, one pace when mistake last, no impression flat, 6th of 11, 10l behind Popaway (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m hts chs (5) gs in Apr.
Sangfroid 10-1 (11-7) Led to 9th, led again 11th, headed 14th, weakened before 4 out, 3rd of 6, 28l behind Iron Chancellor (11-9) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hts chs (6) hvy.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Held up in last pair, blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Rockiteer (11-13) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) gd in Apr, 6 ran.
Rustic John 22-1 (12-0) Chsd wnr to 13; wl bhnd when pu last, in a race won by The Big Freeze (12-7) at Old Berkshire 3m ptp gf in Apr, 6 ran.
Penmore Mill (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Held up behind, headway 12th, went 2nd 4 out, led narrowly next, ridden between last 2, headed last, no extra and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Chosen Milan (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gs in Apr.