Helm, who stays well and is potentially well handicapped over fences, was a notable market mover on his reappearance at Stratford but never landed a blow behind easy winner Runshan. His jumping still leaves a little to be desired and it's difficult to see him giving 8lb to the highly-progressive ABBEY DORE. The seven-year-old has gone up more than 20lb since his winning run began in March but looks the type to pull out more when required and had Quartz Du Montceau well in arrears when registering a C&D success in the spring. Jimmy Derham's mount is much preferred to veteran Kappelhoff and the enigmatic Ethiopia.
Ethiopia 7-2 (11-5) Led and keen, headed before 2 out, about 4 lengths down in 3rd and held when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Beware Chalk Pit (11-3) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov, 4 ran.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leading trio, went 3rd 5th until 8th, went 3rd again after 13th, going well before 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, driven and no chance with leading duo from next, tailed off, 3rd of 6, 42l behind Panzer (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
Helm (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Held up, mistake 13th, headway next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 19l behind Runshan (10-8) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Oct.
Mister Virginian (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Soon led, headed 3rd, stayed close up until pushed along and behind from 6th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Mtpockets (10-5) at Fontwell 3m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Abbey Dore (IRE) 5-2fav (10-9) Held up, went 3rd 6th, left 2nd when hampered 10th, led approaching 2 out, driven and held on gamely flat, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov beating Flying Squad (11-12) by 1l, 6 ran.
Kappelhoff (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, pushed along approaching 6th, reminders after 10th, chased leader from 12th, challenged after 3 out, led 2 out, held on towards finish, all out (no time taken), won at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) hvy in Nov beating Kiltimoney (10-1) by 1/2l, 4 ran.