led until headed 18th, stayed tracking leader, ridden and close up last, unable to quicken run-in
not jump well, tracked leading pair, mistake 11th, hit 13th, ridden on long run to 2 out, beaten when blundered 2 out and hit last
not fluent and jumped left at several fences, held up in 4th, hit 8th, looked to be struggling on long run to 2 out, driven to close approaching last, driven ahead run-in
always last, struggling from 16th, soon tailed off
tracked leader, hit 5th, led 18th, stumbled 2 out, headed and not quicken run-in
A really good renewal of this leading staying novices' event, with a number having claims, though we will take Darkness to be just too good for Crozan and Bewleys Berry also on short list. The selection is right up there with the best in this sphere, having improved markedly with three wins from four starts this term, on different types of ground. Although he has won on soft, his trainer believes him better on the good ground he gets here, he has proven stamina and some good scalps to his name, and he can claim a few more here. Crozan thrashed Lough Derg at Cheltenham last time and looked a very classy sort in doing so. He is expected to go very well again here, though he does have to prove that he stays, while one who certainly does that is Bewleys Berry. He will be better for the return to three miles and the form of his Wetherby win was franked the other day by Briery Fox, so don't rule him out. Idle Talk and Exotic Dancer are others on the upgrade who can get involved, but we are happy to put up Darkness as our selection.
Bewleys Berry (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Led, ridden and mistake 2 out, soon headed, hung left flat, ran on, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Exotic Dancer (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (B) gs.
Crozan (FR) 6-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led approaching last, ran on strongly flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (B) gs in Nov beating Lough Derg (10-13) by 7l, 9 ran.
Darkness 13-8fav (11-8) Held up, took closer order 12th, mistake 13th, tracked leader from next, led 2 out, soon ridden clear, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (B) gs beating Zabenz (11-5) by 8l, 5 ran.
State of Play 9-4fav (10-13) Chased leaders, led 12th, clear 2 out, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (D) gs in Nov beating Howrwenow (11-0) by 9l, 6 ran.
Zabenz (NZ) 11-4 (11-5) Led, hit 11th, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Darkness (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (B) gs.
Idle Talk (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Led 2nd to 4th, led 9th to 12th, chased leader until led 3 out, stayed on strongly from last, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (D) gd in Nov beating Lord Killeshanra (11-0) by 6l, 14 ran.
