tracked leaders and keen, not fluent 4th, went 2nd from 10th, fell 13th
tracked winner, reminder after 5th, blundered 9th, lost 2nd at 10th, pushed along before and left chasing winner 13th, mistake 4 out, no impression from next
made all, clear after 3 out, kept on well
held up in rear, mistake 7th, mistake when weakening 12th, left remote 3rd 5 out
held up in touch, held in 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 5 out
MR CHOW had no trouble defying a big weight at Taunton last week. It's no surprise that David Pipe has elected to turn him out again quickly under a penalty here as he will no doubt go up a few pounds for that success. The progressive eight-year-old should complete his hat-trick as only the veteran Nemetan, among his rivals, has won so far over fences and Waldsee is having his first start over the larger obstacles. The lightly-raced Ravastree wasn't disgraced when fourth at Newbury in November, however, and could be the one to chase home the selection if improving a little on that effort.
Mr Chow (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Mid-division on inside, headway when left in lead 12th, made rest, drew clear from 3 out, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec beating Hopeful Start (11-8) by 20l, 14 ran.
Nemetan (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Led to 1st, remained prominent, driven and outpaced approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 5th of 13, 7l behind That'lldoboy (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Ravastree (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Prominent, led approaching 2nd, headed 4th, led 6th, mistake 7th (water), soon headed, stayed handy, ridden 4 out, no impression on leaders from 2 out, 4th of 15, 21l behind Roalco De Farges (11-6) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Stormyisland Ahead 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st or 9th (water), hit 10th, never in contention, 5th of 10, well behind Quincy Des Pictons (10-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Waldsee (GER) 40-1 (10-9) Raced wide and keen, in touch until weakened 4 out, 11th of 13, well behind Carrickmines (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.