not fluent 1st, ridden 7th, always behind
took keen hold, tracked leaders 4th, led 6th, in command 2 out, kept on gamely run-in
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, chased winner soon after last, kept on run-in, always held by winner
chased winner 9th, no impression 2 out, lost 2nd soon after last
led to 3rd, chased leader to 6th, weakened and behind after 8th
held up mid-division, driven approaching 4 out, weakened before next
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 6th, chased winner to 9th, 3rd when hit 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, always behind
behind, ridden 8th, beaten 4 out
held up in mid-division, steady headway to track leaders after 4 out, weakened after next
chased leaders until weakened 9th
always behind
Tysou, Lorient Express and Tribal Dispute are three against the field in a wide open finale and the tentative vote is given to Lorient Express. The selection has been in the form of his life of late and won well last time out when beating Master Rex. Granted he has a penalty for that win and this is a more competitive race but he is progressing well and under conditions that suit he is taken to win again. Tysou rates the main danger as he also won well last time out when beating Tribal Dispute, but that rival is weighted to reverse form here and for that reason he is opposed. Tikram is from a yard in form and with the booking of Tony McCoy catching the eye he should be noted in the market. However he usually improves for his first run of the season. Of the remainder, Dempsey is well-weighted on his best form and will not be far away if fit after a 273 day absence. This is a competitive finale and for the winner we return to the progressive Lorient Express.
Kadarann (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Behind from 5th, 9th of 11, well behind Monkerhostin (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Nov.
Dempsey (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked winner, went upsides from 5th until hit 8th, lost 2nd 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 10, 25l behind Ashley Brook (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gs in Apr.
Tikram 11-2 (11-6) Held up, steady headway from 11th, tracked leading pair going well after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, quickened clear, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Apr beating Impek (11-10) by 2l, 14 ran.
Tysou (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders from 3rd, led last, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gs in Dec beating Tribal Dispute (10-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
Duncliffe 11-2 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 8l behind Mister Quasimodo (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Full House (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Hit 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Our Vic (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Palua 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until mistakes 4th and next, not jump well and behind after, 7th of 10, 41l behind Armaturk (11-12) at Lingfield 2m lst hcp chs (A) gd in Oct.
Stance 12-1 (11-8) Held up, took closer order 10th, held when hampered 3 out, took 3rd after last, 3rd of 7, 27l behind The Listener (11-10) at Windsor 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
Tribal Dispute 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 9th, ridden 2 out, every chance when hung left approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Tysou (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gs in Dec.
Lorient Express (FR) 11-8fav (10-7) Held up, headway after 9th, led on bit 4 out, soon clear, impressive, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Dec beating Master Rex (11-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Cobbet (CHR) 20-1 (10-7) Always behind, 10th of 13, 35l behind Kelrev (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Dec.
Executive Decision (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden after 9th, headway 2 out, hung left approaching last, kept on flat, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Old Marsh (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
