tracked leader, led after 4th, made rest, pecked 6th, blundered 8th, ridden before last, stayed on well, eased near finish
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, went 2nd next, 1 length down when hit last, held flat
held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression with leading pair
held up in touch, effort 3 out, ridden and outpaced before next, soon weakened
led to after 4th, tracked winner, ridden and lost place 2 out, soon weakened
MARC OF BRILLIANCE is the one for us although support for Rileyev would have us running scared; King Brex may prove to be best of the remainder. Gary Moore has two chances here and Cockatoo could well give a good account as this is by far and away the easiest opportunity that he has faced in four starts over fences but we'll opt for his stablemate. Marc Of Brilliance has been a little disappointing the last twice but the drop back in trip on a track that he runs particularly well may be sufficient to see him open his account over fences. King Brex came within a neck of breaking his chase duck at the third attempt and he's a relatively consistent sort who should be in the mix but he's become rather frustrating to follow and should have more than just the one win to his name. Stumped has been well placed to finish in the money on six of his eight chase starts but is likely to have to settle for a minor role and of more interest is Rileyev. He's failed to run up to his best in two starts in the autumn but he's related to a winning chaser and could improve for the switch of obstacles. It'll be worth waiting to see what the market makes of his chance but the selection is Marc Of Brilliance.
King Brex (DEN) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in rear, mistake 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind I'm A Legend (11-0) at Taunton 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Cockatoo (USA) 8-1 (10-10) Led, mistake 3rd, headed and reminders 5th, chased leaders, lost place 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 25l behind Call Me A Legend (10-12) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Marc of Brilliance (USA) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, effort to chase leading pair 3 out, driven, outpaced next, soon no impression, 3rd of 6, 15l behind The Polomoche (11-1) at Fakenham 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Stumped 10-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, hit 7th, outpaced when hit 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 46l behind Call Me A Legend (10-12) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Rileyev (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Chased clear leader until dropped to rear after 3 out, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Spear Thistle (11-11) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
