held up well in rear, went left 7th, pushed along in 5th 4 out, headway chasing leaders 3 out, weakened last
mostly jumped well, tracked leader, led 5th until after next, chased leaders, bit awkward 11th (water), went 2nd 2 out, ridden between last two, challenged last, led run-in, stayed on well
raced keenly, led and not fluent 1st, jumped slowly and headed 5th, in front again after next, narrowly headed 11th (water), chased leader, in front again 3 out, ridden after next, joined last, headed and not pace of winner run-in, clear 2nd
chased leaders, led after 6th until not fluent and headed 8th, chased leader, in front again narrowly 11th (water), headed 3 out, lost 2nd next, ridden and well held when lost 3rd final 100 yards
held up in 5th place, fell 12th
chased leaders out wide, pushed along before 11th (water), struggling 4 out, outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on into modest 3rd final 100 yards, no chance with winner
NonRunner
Champagne Well has placed in all three starts over fences so far and won over hurdles at Plumpton last month but there should be plenty more to come over the larger obstacles from BOBHOPEORNOHOPE (NAP). He did rather lose his way over timber in the second half of last season but wind surgery looked to have cured his problems at Exeter. A winner at Newton Abbot in June, Mahler's Promise ran well off his new mark over track and trip last month and Bothwell Bridge, a useful novice over timber last season, should make a chaser. Lingfield winner Zhiguli could also go well along with Halo Des Obeaux.
Champagne Well (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Towards rear, jumped big 1st, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, ridden to challenge and led last, joined flat, ran on well, just held on, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating The Bomber Liston (10-8) by ns, 11 ran.
Bothwell Bridge (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along 2nd circuit, soon weakened, pulled up, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Mahler's Promise (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, no impression on winner flat, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Minella Trump (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Bobhopeornohope (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Held up behind leaders, 4th when not fluent 4 out, driven to go 3rd before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 6 3/4l behind Castle Robin (11-3) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Halo Des Obeaux (FR) 3-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, held in third when fell last, at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) hvy in Oct.
Zyon 40-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden and lost ground after 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Fantastikas (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Zhiguli (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Keen towards rear, pulled into midfield 4th, in touch when bumped 4 out, switched wide and ridden before 3 out, outpaced by winner 2 out, faded from last, 4th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Fantastikas (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
