held up, headway to chase leaders halfway, mistake 4 out, weakened before next
made virtually all, driven when challenged 3 out, ran on well
chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, weakened after next, modest 4th
in touch, mistake 3rd, lost place halfway, soon beaten, behind when pulled up 2 out
led early, chased leader, ridden 4 out, weakened next
held up in rear, headway from halfway, every chance 3 out, kept on well
chased leaders, lost place 7th, rallied 3 out, kept on after last, never able to challenge
CHRISTOPHER WREN's third behind George Nympton at Warwick last time was his best so far over fences. He won off a 5lb higher mark over hurdles and still has more scope than the majority of his rivals. Valley View may be the danger as he handles heavy ground and was well supported at Lingfield last month. However, this will be his first run over 2m for two years. Shangani has been placed in all three starts over fences but could probably do with dropping down the weights a little and Mon Chevalier and Olympian Boy are infrequent winners. This looks too tough for Take Of Shoc's and Princely Hero.
Valley View (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up in last pair, hit 6th and ridden, struggling 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Ballygarvey (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Shangani (USA) 10-11fav (11-10) Held up mid-division, went 4th before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Sew On Target (11-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan.
Mon Chevalier (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, effort approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 4, 15l behind Rody (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Christopher Wren (USA) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not always fluent, hit 8th and lost place, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 5l behind George Nympton (11-7) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Take Of Shoc's (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed 4th, soon led again, headed before 5th, weakened before next, last of 8, well behind Rody (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Olympian Boy (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Took keen hold, held up in touch, effort after 4 out, soon no impression, modest 3rd, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Frontier Spirit (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Princely Hero (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Led until before 6th, outpaced after next, stayed on flat, 4th of 16, 10l behind Winds And Waves (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.
