tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced by front pair after 3 out, no chance from next, lost modest 3rd near finish
held up in rear, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, kept on under pressure from last, no chance with leaders
tracked leader, headway to lead approaching 2 out, driven clear when mistake last, ridden out flat, well in command when eased towards finish
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression when mistake next, ridden and stayed on to take modest 3rd near finish, no chance with leaders
led, went left and not fluent 3rd, headed approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on in clear 2nd from last, no chance with winner
Paul Nicholls has two of the five entries and jockey bookings suggest Challico is the stable number one though his victory here last month was gained over 2m3f on very fast ground. His stable companion Moabit didn't take to fences earlier in the season but has been in winning form on the Flat and completed a four-timer over timber when joining the yard from France last year. Bandsman completed a Market Rasen double a year ago and was taking on strong handicap company when last seen at Kempton in March. There's more to come from him as there is from ATTEST (NAP) and it's the latter who looks the one to be on. He completed a hat-trick earlier in the summer and has continued to run well in better company including at Cheltenham last time where he didn't quite get the run of the race. Rio Bravo has a low weight with his rider's claim and isn't out of it.
Moabit (GER) 11-2 (9-9) Always behind, 6th of 9, 13 1/2l behind Snowy Winter (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Bandsman 10-1 (11-6) Always behind, 13th of 19, 24 1/4l behind Brio Conti (11-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Attest 9-1 (10-12) Held up, switched right and headway from last bend, never able to challenge, no extra and lost 4th towards finish, 5th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Smaoineamh Alainn (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Challico 10-3 (11-4) Tracked leader, hampered and left in lead 5th, ridden and headed last, no extra and lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 11, 6 1/4l behind Diese Des Bieffes (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Rio Bravo (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Led, not fluent 1st or 2nd, headed 2 out, one pace last, lost 4th flat, 5th of 11, 9l behind Manny Owens (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
