held up in rear, headway before 2 out, one pace until weakened before last
led, joined 9th, blundered and unseated rider 11th
with leaders, outpaced before 4 out, kept on from 2 out
held up mid-division in 4th, led 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out
held up mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on well before last, soon chased winner, nearest at finish
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, not fluent 8th, tailed off before 11th
with leaders, left in lead 4 out until 3 out, chased winner until before last, soon weakened
mid-division, chased leaders 10th, mistake 4 out, quickly weakened and pulled up before 2 out
Nicky Henderson has a wealth of talent this season in the novice chase division and BROADBACKBOB makes plenty of appeal here. He enjoyed an excellent campaign over timber last term, including a success over subsequent Supreme Novices Hurdle winner, Cinders And Ashes, before having his season truncated after finishing second at Cheltenham in January in a hot contest. He has always looked every inch a steeplechaser and this looks a good starting point for him. Tempo De Cotte is a French import for Paul Nicholls which immediately makes him of interest and he does hold a fitness advantage over the selection but the concession of 7lb looks a bridge too far for the recent Auteuil scorer. Sweet Irony shaped nicely enough on her chasing bow behind Sire Collonges last may to merit a place on the shortlist.
Tempo De Cotte (FR) (10-7) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 5f 5yo chs sft in Sep beating Tikawa Moirette (10-7) by shd, 9 ran.
Aikideau (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 7th, well behind after 10th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Lovcen (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr, 19 ran.
Arbeo (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Hampered 1st, held up in mid-division, not fluent and lost place 4th, ridden 7th, well beaten 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 11, 44l behind Sire De Grugy (11-2) at Kempton 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Ballypatrick (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) With leaders until blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Hadrian's Approach (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f Beginners Chase (0-140) (4yo+) (3) gs, 9 ran.
Broadbackbob (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway when mistake 7th, challenged on outside after 3 out, led after next, ridden when mistake last, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Batonnier (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Highway Code (USA) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 1st or 2nd, hit 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 14, well behind Saphir River (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) sft.
Mr Chris 100-1 (11-0) In touch in last pair, weakened and behind 10th, tailed off and pulled up soon after, in a race won by Midnight Sail (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (4) gs in Apr, 6 ran.
Sherreb (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, every chance 4 out, soon under pressure and weakened, 5th of 12, 19l behind Global Power (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Oct.
Sweet Irony (FR) 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked winner from 2nd, mistake 11th, ridden after 4 out, no impression next, lost 2nd last, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Sire Collonges (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chase (4) gs in May.
