tracked leaders, mistakes throughout, effort 3 out, hard ridden to challenge next, soon one pace
pulled hard in touch, headway to chase leaders 2 out, never on terms
led until 8th, lost place next, soon beaten
with leader, led 8th, hard driven next, stayed on well
held up in touch, under pressure approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up in rear, slow 4th, soon struggling, weakened 4 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on well, never nearer
DOESLESSTHANME scored on his first run for Paul Nicholls before coming to grief when going well enough behind the potentially high-class Invictus at Hereford. He had jumped well when winning first time up and, despite topweight, could well outclass this field. C&D winner Super Forman is a possible danger, especially at the likely odds, if recapturing the best of his form. He has not been disgraced behind the progressive Renard the last twice and appeals off a mark of 119. He had some useful form in the book a few seasons ago. Fahrisee, a fair novice last term, should be all the better for his reappearance run, whilst Cruchain and Mibleu are reliable types who can't be discounted in an interesting little heat.
Doeslessthanme (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leader, challenged from 6th, not fluent 8th, mistake next, fell 10th, in a race won by Invictus (10-7) at Hereford 2m 5f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
Fahrisee (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, took keen hold, headway approaching 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 25l behind Moon Over Miami (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Cruchain (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 12, 43l behind Bally Legend (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Super Formen (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Chased leading pair, went 2nd after 4th, ridden before ommited 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 10l behind Renard (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Mibleu (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Held up, went 4th 5th, went 2nd 3 out, 6 lengths off leader 2 out, soon left in lead, mistake and headed last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Moon Over Miami (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Cantabilly (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, blundered 5th, mistake 6th, in 3rd and one pace when fell last, in a race won by Gorge (10-7) at Taunton 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov, 6 ran.