held up in rear, took closer order 11th, chased leaders next, left in 2nd after 13th, not fluent 3 out, driven to challenge next, stayed on same pace
led until approaching 2nd, soon held up in touch, chasing leaders in 3rd when mistake 3 out, weakened after next
prominent, led approaching 2nd, jumped right throughout, badly hampered and unseated rider after 13th
chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 4th
in touch, lost place 9th, rallied 4 out, stayed on into 3rd before 2 out, never a threat
tracked leader, left in lead after 13th, challenged before 2 out, stayed on strongly
Nonrunner
Plantagenet's progress over hurdles has been little short of phenomenal but he's 9lb higher than for his last win on his first venture over fences, though Daniel Sansom takes off 7lb. VELVET COGNAC also has a 7lb claimer on board and can race off the same mark as when only beaten a neck by Wizards Bridge at Fontwell last month. A nine times winner between the flags, a first victory over fences looks imminent. Wizard Bridge's trainer Colin Tizzard runs Cucklington, who has only found one too good in his last two starts over this trip at Wincanton, and he also has claims but Double Accord hasn't raced since August of last year and is making his chasing bow.
Plantagenet 10-11fav (12-2) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, led before 3 out, pressed last, kept on well run-in, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Racing Spirit (11-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Velvet Cognac 8-1 (10-10) Prominent, pecked 4 out, just over 2 lengths down when left in lead and hampered 3 out, headed inside final 100 yards, carried right and held close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Wizards Bridge (11-9) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Double Accord 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden before 3 out, headed last, stayed on flat, no impression on winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Eardisland (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Belmont Park (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, tracked leaders 5th, went 2nd at 13th, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Dontminddboys (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, 2nd from 13th, every chance 2 out, mistake and beaten last, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Copperfacejack (11-9) at Towcester 3m hcp (5) gf in Oct.
Cucklington 3-1 (11-4) Chased leader until 3rd, chased leading pair, pushed along before 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, kept on same pace after, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Guerrilla Tactics (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Corner Creek (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Prominent, mistake 10th, mistake and led 4 out, headed approaching next, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 15 1/4l behind Irish Octave (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
