held up, in rear, in touch, mistake 9th, headway 13th, kept on well after last, just denied
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace
held up in touch, headway 12th, led 2 out, kept on well, held on
Wotashambles has rather harshly been raised 8lbs for his narrow success at Uttoxeter when last seen in July but the slightly longer trip here and the weakness of the opposition makes him the one to beat and Colin Tizzard's gelding gets the vote over Waltzing Beau and Moustique de L'Isle. The last mentioned has been well held in both starts so far this term but has been given a chance by the handicapper. Molostiep is less exposed than his rivals after just five career starts and is of more interest than selling winner Arceye who was pulled up behind Rifleman last time. Venetia Williams has her string in good form at present so Waltzing Beau has to be respected on his reappearance but it is hard to get away from Wotashambles, who gets the vote.
Waltzing Beau 20-1 (10-1) Held up, hit 7th and 9th, lost touch from 13th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Kinburn (10-11) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr '06, 7 ran.
Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 8-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden 17th, weakened next, 8th of 14, 35l behind Finzi (9-12) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Wotashambles (IRE) 4-1fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, all out close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jul beating Mnason (10-5) by a nk, 15 ran.
Molostiep (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Held up, short lived effort 13th, soon weakened, 5th of 9, well behind Nagam (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Arceye 11-1 (10-10) Mid-division, reminders 11th, some progress 13th, struggling when pulled up 3 out in race won by Rifleman (11-1) at Hereford 3m 1f amt hcp chs (5) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
