close up, led 3rd, still going well when hit and fell 6th
tracked winner early, led soon after 6th, ridden and headed 7th, weakened 8th, tailed off when blundered last
prominent, led briefly after 6th, reluctant to race, soon headed and pulled up shortly afterwards
led until headed 3rd, stayed in touch, headway to chase leader and blundered 8th, led 2out, 3 lengths clear when blundered last, driven out flat
held up, ridden after 5th, led 7th, under pressure and headed 2 out, beaten before last, one pace flat
Great Travel gets weight all round here and has the scope to go on to better things. He gets the vote over L'Etang Bleu and Be My Destiny. Great Travel is only a four-year-old but has already won over hurdles in France. He had the speed to win on the Flat there as well, and may be an exciting recruit to fences if his confidence has not been dented. Making his debut over the bigger obstacles at Cheltenham in October, he was going as well as anything when making an error down the far side, after which he just went to pieces, and it was no surprise when he eventually fell. The fact that he was allowed to line up against Puntal in the first place suggests that he is considered useful, and Paul Nicholls has found a suitable opportunity for a confidence-boosting round here. L'Etang Bleu has been confined to hurdles since breaking a blood vessel in a Newton Abbot chase in the summer, and his overall form does not entitle him to the same respect as the selection. Mark Pitman has his team in fine form, so it would be no surprise if Be My Destiny were to run well on his reappearance. All in all though, Great Travel, off just 10st 6lb, could have got in lightly and must be supported to make amends.
