in rear after mistake 1st, jumped big and slow next, ridden and headway 11th, outpaced after 4 out, kept on flat, went 4th close home, no impression
tracked leaders, led 12th, mistake 4 out, soon headed, beaten from 3 out
held up in rear, big and awkward 1st, headway 9th, close up after 4 out, no impression on winner 2 out
prominent, not much room 2nd, left in lead next, slipped before 11th, soon headed, weakened before 3 out
led, slithered badly on landing 3rd and headed, in touch, not fluent 5th, jumped left 9th, mistake and struggling 13th, well beaten next
prominent, jumped left 2nd, led before not fluent 11th, headed 12th, no extra 2 out, lost 4th close home
towards rear, pecked badly 10th, well beaten 3 out
chased leaders on outside, closed before 11th, led after 4 out, clear 2 out, easily
Potters Venture came good at the sixth attempt over fences at Newton Abbot but has been raised 4lb. INVESTMENT MANAGER was quietly fancied at Ffos Las but let down by his jumping. However, he’ll have learned plenty from that and isn’t badly treated on the pick of his hurdles form compared to Tip Top Cat. Minella Buster followed up a win at Kempton with a third at Exeter and Huelgoat has taken to fences like a duck to water, though he is climbing the weights and this is more competitive than the races he’s been contesting this autumn.
Tip Top Cat (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) In rear on outside, pushed along before 5th, struggling 7th, mistake and well beaten 3 out, last of 7, 29 3/4l behind Call Me Lord (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Huelgoat (FR) 1-9fav (11-4) Jumped well, tracked leader, joined leader 7th, led 9th, well in command 3 out, not extended, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) gf in Nov beating Zyon (10-13) by 14l, 0 ran.
Minella Buster (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 4th, challenging 4 out, every chance when mistake last, 3rd and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Masters Legacy (12-0) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Enemenemynemo (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Front mid-division, pushed along home turn, ridden to chase leaders before 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 22 3/4l behind My Bobby Dazzler (11-12) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Potters Venture (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Made all, not fluent 7th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on gamely, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Bells Of Peterboro (12-0) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Investment Manager 10-3 (11-11) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, pushed along after 5 out, ridden and left in 3rd 2 out, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 10l behind How's The Cricket (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Helios Allen (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Close up in rear, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened run in, 5th of 6, 8 1/2l behind Phantom Getaway (12-0) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Kayf Hernando 11-2 (12-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along home turn, every chance when bumped and hampered jumping 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Diegos Way (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
