led until 3 out, soon last and beaten, left 3rd last
tracked leader, awkward 1st, led 3 out, headed 2 out, 1 length down when blundered and unseated rider last
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, 9th or 10th, challenged 3 out, led next, soon ridden, 1 length up when blundered and left clear last
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 6th, not fluent 10th, 3rd and one pace before 2 out, no impression, left 2nd last
It's a bonus that Hinterland is still qualified for beginners and novice chases as he was second in a Grade 1 over course and distance last season and in a Grade 2 at Kempton later. He looks certain to be a leading light this term but wouldn't have lived with GRANDOUET over hurdles and Nicky Henderson's classy chasing debutant should come out best if the fences don't get in the way. Turn Over Sivola did nothing wrong when second to Dodging Bullets at Kempton last month and is another with a future but Elsafeer may need his sights lowering.
Elsafeer (IRE) 17-2 (11-10) Held up behind, headway and in touch on outside 7th, driven and stayed on same pace in 3rd from 2 out, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Marmas (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Sep.
Grandouet (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden before last, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 15l behind Zarkandar (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Hinterland (FR) 3-10fav (11-0) Held up behind, headway over 5f out on outer, went 2nd over 2f out, led 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Capellanus (10-9) at Wolverhampton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Turn Over Sivola (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Held up in 4th, went 3rd 6th, went 2nd 8th, led 4 out, narrowly headed 3 out, chasing winner and every chance when blundered badly and nearly unseated rider next, held when mistake last, kept on but not recover, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Dodging Bullets (11-2) at Kempton 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
