took keen hold, tracking leading pair, went 2nd 8th, challenged on inside and slight lead 10th, headed next, driven hung left and not keen from 4 out, no chance but plugged on from last
took keen hold, disputing lose 3rd until slow 3rd, stumbled next, soon lost touch, tailed off 9th, pulled up after next
went left 1st, chased winner, mistake and ridden 6th, blundered and lost 2nd 8th, ridden and no chance from next, tailed off
jumped well, led, narrowly headed 10th, in lead again next, in command and clear from 4 out, kept up to work final 100 yards
Dual hurdles winner Mister Chancer is a half-brother to a decent Irish pointer so may well improve for the switch to fences. Prince Tom should also be winning soon, though this may be a little on the sharp side after a break, and BATTLE GROUP brings form into the race from a much higher level. Fourth at the Cheltenham Festival and only beaten half-a-length in a Listed handicap at Aintree subsequently, David Pipe's seven-year-old doesn't always look the easiest of rides but should have the class to prevail here.
Battle Group 6-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, switched right before last, led soon after last, headed final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Saint Are (10-13) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Landenstown Lad (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) In rear, hit 2nd, mistake next, soon well behind, tailed off 9th, pulled up after, in a race won by Sire Collonges (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chase (4) gs, 5 ran.
Mister Chancer (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to go 2nd approaching last (usual 3 out), soon no chance with winner, kept on same pace, lost well beaten 2nd 1f out, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Kingsmere (10-10) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Prince Tom 85-40fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place after 8th, headway after 3 out, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 10l behind Fox Appeal (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
