led 2nd, headed 9th, jumped left and weakened 3 out
in rear, ridden and mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up 2 out
led briefly 1st, weakened 9th
soon well behind, pulled up before 10th
in touch, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, slow last
in rear, pulled up after 2nd and dismounted
held up and keen, headway 10th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, led 9th, ridden throughout, ridden out
towards rear, headway 8th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd close home
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden and held when hampered and unseated rider 3 out
Berkhamsted gets the vote here with Tavalu and Noble Ben rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair third behind Sunley Shines last time out, form that looks rock solid in the context of this race and with the step up in trip likely to bring about improvement he looks the one to be on. Tavalu rates the main danger on his latest third behind Kavatcha but he has had plenty of chances of late without taking one and is passed over with this in mind. Noble Ben is another that could go well but he looked one-paced behind Itsa Legend last time and the drop in trip has to be a concern. Of the remainder, Pongo's Nephew was secdond behind Mickey Pearce last time but is often let down by his jumping while Ronald Jack showed promise in France but may be seen to better effect with more cut in the ground and for the winner we return to the unexposed Berkhamstead.
Heartofmidlothian (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Mid-division, jumped slowly 4th, mistake 8th, effort 2 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 15l behind The Wicketkeeper (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Narval D'avelot (FR) 8-1 (9-11) With leaders to 2nd, jumped slowly 3rd, in touch until weakened 12th, 3rd of 6, well behind Syncopated Rhythm (9-13) at Uttoxeter 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Oct.
Pongo's Nephew 8-1 (10-12) With leader, led 5th, headed 3 out, mistake 2 out, one pace and no chance with winner after, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Mickey Pearce (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f cnd sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Berkhamsted (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Held up, closer order 6th, ridden to chase leading pair 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Sunley Shines (10-8) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gf in Apr.
Noble Ben (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, steady progress from 9th, effort 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 13l behind Itsa Legend (10-12) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Ronald Jack (FR) (11-0) 3rd of 5, 8l behind Peacemaker (11-0) at Toulouse 2m 5f chs in Apr.
Tavalu (USA) 7-1 (11-2) Hit 2nd, mid-division, headway 3 out, driven and beaten before next, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Kavatcha (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Ilongue (FR) 25-1 (9-7) In rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, chased winner from last, no impression, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Lord Ryeford (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in May.
