chased leader, led 2nd, mistake and headed 7th, mistake 8th, soon lost 2nd, blundered next, soon beaten, tailed off and pulled up soon after
close up, went badly right 3rd, went 3rd at 8th, staying on when left 4 lengths 2nd 3 out, mistake next, no extra in 3rd approaching last
led until 2nd, pressed leader, led again 7th, ridden and pressed when left 4 lengths clear 3 out, ridden and stayed on well
in touch in 5th, outpaced in 4th place when left modest 3rd 3 out, stayed on to 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
held up, headway to 3rd at 3rd, went 2nd at 8th, travelling well and challenging when fell 3 out
chased leaders, went right 2nd, bumped 3rd and lost place, never going after, reminders in rear next, mistakes 5th and 7th, tailed off and pulled up after 9th
in rear, blundered 8th, pulled up before next
Bally Legend and Theatrical Star should be winning soon while Jump City had Traditional Bob back in third when winning at Newton Abbot at the start of October and was taking on decent opposition at Cheltenham next time. RAJDHANI EXPRESS became a little disappointing over hurdles but made a promising start over the larger obstacles when only beaten a length by Elenika at Huntingdon and could go one better here with Sam Waley-Cohen taking off 5lb. Recent winners Carrigmorna King and Changing Times warrant respect, however, though both need to improve again to follow up in this.
Carrigmorna King (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Made all, not fluent 4th, pressed 3 out, soon ridden, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Dare Me (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Jump City (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Mid-division, jumped right and ridden briefly 5th, soon in rear group, struggling 4 out, jumped right 3 out, no impression, stayed on flat, 6th of 8, 21l behind His Excellency (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gs in Oct.
Changing Times (IRE) 4-6fav (11-2) Keen early made all, quicked pace from 9th, drew clear with 2nd from 4 out, ran on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Monturgeon (11-2) by 5l, 5 ran.
Bally Legend 5-2fav (11-9) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, in 2nd and not fluent 2 out, looking held when blundered last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Current Event (11-1) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Rajdhani Express 2-1 (10-10) Keen tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, joined winner 9th, mistake and rider lost iron briefly next, ridden to lead last, driven and headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Elenika (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m beg chs (3) sft in Nov.
Theatrical Star 4-1 (11-1) Led 1st until 2nd, tracked leader, mistake 10th, led after 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out where mistake, left 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Minella Class (11-1) at Ascot 2m 5f beg chs (3) sft in Nov.
Traditional Bob (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 6th, soon towards rear, rallied 3 out, stayed on towards last, never nearer, 6th of 12, 20l behind Global Power (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Oct.
