jumped right at times, disputed lead until led 8th, made rest, ridden clear approaching 2 out, kept on flat
disputed lead until 8th, chased winner, ridden 3 out, 5 lengths down next, stayed on flat
tracked leading pair, tailed off from 9th
DEPUTY DAN favours testing ground with both of last season's wins over hurdles coming in heavy going. Oliver Sherwood's charge showed promise when runner-up on his chasing bow at Fontwell last month and gets the vote. Far West is of similar ability to the selection over timber and also ran well on his chasing debut at Exeter but useful hurdler Coneygree has not raced since January last year and may be best watched on his return. My Silver Cloud has been placed in points and makes his debut under Rules.
Deputy Dan (IRE) 8-13fav (11-3) Tracked winner, mistake 5 out, ridden before last, kept on from last, held towards finish, 2nd of 3, 4 1/2l behind Virak (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Far West (FR) 5-4fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, went 3rd from 5th, chased winner from 3 out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Dunraven Storm (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
My Silver Cloud (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Mid div, 7th aftr a mile, prog to disp 6out, ld 5out, hdd 4out, 4th 3out, bhnd when pu bef last, in a race won by Wakynama (12-2) at Kinsale 3m ire ptp in Jun, 11 ran.
Coneygree 9-4 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 5, 12l behind At Fishers Cross (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan '13.