tracked leader and keen, ridden and challenged 3 out, upsides 2 out, led last, kept on well towards finish
in rear and in touch, took keen hold, went 2nd at 19th, led next, pressed from 3 out, under pressure 2 out, headed next, no extra
led, not fluent 16th, hit 19th, headed next, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, went 2nd from 4th until 12th, pushed along and lost place, in rear from 18th
Petite Margot has won five times over fences and stays extreme distances but has been badly out of form of late and is difficult to fancy. COLD MOUNTAIN has one advantage over these rivals in that he is very much a fast ground specialist so his last run at Fontwell is best ignored. He's better judged on his mid-summer victories at Fontwell and Newton Abbot last year and this won't take much winning so he gets the nod. Cashel Blue has disappointed over fences and all of his form is on ground with some give while Earth Planet hasn't shown much aptitude for the bigger obstacles and is still a maiden after eight starts.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, in rear and jumped right 7th, pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Peut Etre Sivola (10-4) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Earth Planet (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Held up in close 3rd, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened before next, 3rd of 4, 31l behind Dover's Hill (11-1) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov chs (3) gf.
Cashel Blue (USA) 10-1 (10-11) Led until narrowly headed after 10th, chased leader until before 14th, weakening and towards rear when badly hampered and unseated rider 14th, in a race won by Ammunition (11-2) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 16 ran.
Petite Margot 10-1 (11-4) With leader, pushed along and lost place 4th, behind from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 17th, in a race won by Incentivise (11-6) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
