led and not fluent, headed 2 out, one pace before last
in rear and in touch, blundered 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear
tracked leaders in 3rd, with leader 15th, kept on from 2 out
tracked leader, blundered 17th, weakened after 4 out
Triolo D'Alene was pulled up in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham last month and the five-year-old has his stamina to prove over this trip. Grove Pride easily won a novice chase at Exeter on his first start over fences but the others are established chasers and this track is a real test for the inexperienced. Bold Sir Brian is probably the pick of the weights and made a winning reappearance at Carlisle. But he may also struggle to get home on the ground so we'll give another chance to PACHA DU POLDER. Again, the trip is a bit of an unknown and he was pulled up on his return to action at Aintree but he has jumped around here successfully in the past and may just have too much class for these if Ruby Walsh can get him settled.
Pacha Du Polder (FR) 4-1fav (10-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 4 out to next, soon weakened and pulled up, in a race won by For Non Stop (10-11) at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Bold Sir Brian (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway 5 out, challenged on bit 3 out, led last, ran on strongly, won at Carlisle 2m 4f chs (2) hvy in Nov beating Rival D'estruval (10-8) by 8l, 4 ran.
Triolo D'Alene (FR) 12-1 (10-1) Towards rear, effort 10th, weakened before 12th, tailed off and eased 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Al Ferof (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov, 18 ran.
Grove Pride 8-1 (11-3) Tended to jump slightly right, led, narrowly headed 4 out, stayed pressing, about 2 lengths down and staying on same pace when left well clear last, won at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Talkonthestreet (11-3) by 21l, 7 ran.
