hit 1st, tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd 7th, went 2nd and blundered 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, driven out
led 3rd to next, chased leader, challenging and upsides when blundered and fell 12th
held up in last pair, jumped slowly 7th, driven and lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden and hit 9th, led 12th to 4 out, weakened approaching last
held up in last pair, no chance when hampered 12th, tailed off next
led to 3rd, led again next, headed 12th, chasing leaders when blundered 4 out, one pace flat
Idris deserves to win a race following seven placed efforts since winning a novice hurdle at Huntingdon in January but Gary Moore's gelding may have to settle for a minor role yet again with preference for Kaldouas, who gets the vote ahead of Charlton Kings. The last mentioned has shown promise in recent starts over fences but the Ron Hodges-trained gelding would need to improve to beat the selection. Jonjo O'Neill's Johnston's Swallow has given little cause for optimism of late, while Topinambour has similarly disappointed and of more interest may be Danse Macabre. Tony Carroll's gelding will not mind any further softening of the ground and has place claims but the vote goes to the Paul Nicholls-trained Kaldouas, who was in the process of running a decent race on his recent chasing debut at Wincanton and should appreciate the softer ground today.
Idris (GER) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked winner, challenged 3 out, every chance when blundered 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Priors Dale (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Kaldouas (FR) 7-4fav (11-6) Prominent, shaken up after 4 out, every chance when fell 3 out in race won by Petitjean (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Johnston's Swallow (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, went 4th approaching 5th, gradually lost touch from 8th, 4th of 5, well behind Priors Dale (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Charlton Kings (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Led until 4th, led 8th until 9th, every chance 2 out, hit last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Tora Bora (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Danse Macabre (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, 41l behind Dusky Lord (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Topinambour (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leader, lost place 9th, last of 8, well behind Abragante (11-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
