held up, jumped slowly 2nd and next, left 8 lengths 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, unable to challenge
tracked leader until 11th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up before 15th
held up, blundered 6th, went 3rd approaching 12th, 5 lengths off front pair when fell 3 out
made all, hit 7th, not fluent 4 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on gamely, in command from last
many errors, tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th, ridden and every chance 2 out, went right last, stayed on same pace and held flat
Last season's RSA Chase winner Bostons Angel unseated his rider on his reappearance at Down Royal but that was an uncharacteristic blunder by Jessie Harrington's promising seven-year-old and it would be no surprise if he made amends here. He does have a penalty to carry, however, which means he concedes 4lb to Racing Post Chase winner Quinz and ROYAL CHARM. Both should win more races this winter but preference is for the latter here as he's only had three runs over fences and the step up to 3m should suit him this season. Golan Way and Benbane Head are both useful performers on their day but may find today's company too hot.
Bostons Angel (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Chased leaders in 4th, bad mistake and unseated rider 5 out, in a race won by Quito De La Roque (11-10) at Down Royal 3m Grade 1 chs (1) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Quinz (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Never travelled in rear, not fluent 1st, in rear and struggling when blundered 15th, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Exmoor Ranger (10-10) at Ascot 3m Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Oct, 17 ran.
Royal Charm (FR) 10-3 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 5 out, no impression from next, 3rd of 7, 33l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Golan Way 33-1 (11-8) Led, not fluent 3rd, clear 6th until before 9th, headed 2 out, 6th and weakening when hit last, 8th of 19, 31l behind Dorset Square (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Benbane Head (USA) 9-1 (11-3) In touch, outpaced 5 out, 4th when mistake 3 out, stayed on to chase leading pair between last 2, no impression, 3rd of 13, 10l behind The Minack (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
