held up, strung in from 10th, no chance from next
jumped well, raced enthusiastically, led 2nd, cleared 10th, unchallenged
led to 2nd, chased winner, ridden after 10th, soon outpaced and no impression
Ortega has run creditably in being placed in each of his last two starts, the latest when back over fences, and he has place claims but it is hard to see him or any of the other four runners in the race getting the better of PREDATEUR, who gets the vote with Personal Column rated the pick of the remainder. The selection is trained by Paul Nicholls and although he has been well held in recent starts over fences, his form is still some way ahead that of his opponents and he looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to open his account over the larger obstacles. Kingoftheswingers is yet to even be placed in five starts over hurdles and it is unlikely that he will be any better over fences. Smiling Applause makes little appeal and of more interest may be Edgar Byrne's Sandhurst, who has been running well without success until disappointing at Exeter at the beginning of the month. The Tor Sturgis-trained Personal Column was capable over timber and has shown enough over fences to suggest that he could be a serious threat to the selection here. Predateur has an obvious chance on the pick of his form though and he looks the one to beat.
Ortega (FR) 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, chased winner approaching last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Kikos (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Predateur (FR) 11-4 (11-0) In touch, chased leaders 10th, ridden 4 out, effort when mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 8, well behind Quickbeam (10-11) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
Sandhurst (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division until 15th, soon behind and pulled up 4 out in race won by Teeming Rain (11-1) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd, 14 ran.
Kingoftheswingers (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, effort 6, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Calgary Jock (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug, 9 ran.
Personal Column 20-1 (10-10) Held up, stayed on from 3 out to take poor 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 31l behind Greenbridge (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Smiling Applause 18-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Rival Bidder (10-13) at Southwell 3m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
