held up in touch in last, not fluent 4th, mistake when effort 3 out, stayed on under pressue last, edged right and went 2nd flat, unable to trouble winner
led, not fluent 2 out, ridden when not fluent and headed last, no extra flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 13th until not fluent 4 out, went 2nd again 3 out, led last, wandered flat, driven out
tracked leader until 13th, went 2nd again 4 out until not fluent 3 out, weakened before 2 out
TIERMORE was very disappointing at Newton Abbot at the start of the month but Peter Bowen's former hunter chaser is fancied to bounce back in this small field getting 6lb from the returning Qaspal, who may never be able to match his past form over hurdles over the larger obstacles. Font and Amaury De Lusignan both have the ability to figure if in the mood with the former having shown the best recent form. He looks the danger to the selection.
Qaspal (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, soon in touch, weakened from 13th, 4th of 6, 13l behind Kingsmere (11-2) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (4) gs in Jul '12.
Tiermore (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Prominent, led approaching 5th, headed when mistake next, mistake 4 out, weakened before next, 6th of 11, 37l behind Henry San (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf.
Font 14-1 (10-5) Held up, jumped left 9th, headway after 3 out, went 4th last, stayed on, not able to challenge, 4th of 11, 5l behind Mostly Bob (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jul.
Amaury De Lusignan (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place 5 out, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Temple Lord (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.