tracked leaders, took closer order after 3 out, led after last, easily
held up in rear, not fluent 4 out, weakened next, modest 4th
tracked leader, hard ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
chased leaders, slow 6th, weakened 7th
set decent pace, jumped well, soon clear, headed after last, no extra
VUKOVAR only met defeat once in five runs in bumpers and over hurdles in France. He gets a valuable 6lb weight-for-age allowance over fences at this time of year and can win again on his first start for an in-form yard. Mr Mole's defeat of Melodic Rendezvous over hurdles at Exeter last year could hardly have worked out any better. He was second in a valuable handicap at Haydock when last seen and is a big danger on his chasing bow. Mr Watson was also useful over the smaller obstacles but has been well beaten in two starts over fences so far. Pearls Legend was third at Ludlow last month but would probably need a bit more here.
Mr Mole (IRE) 11-2fav (11-3) Held up in rear, headway travelling well before 3 out, chased winner after next, driven and carried head high flat, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Barizan (10-6) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in May.
Mr Watson (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Led, not fluent 2nd, soon clear, hit 5th, headed next, mistake 7th (water), well held from 4 out, went remote 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 34l behind Dark Lover (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gs in Oct.
Pearls Legend 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway when not fluent 3rd, went 2nd before 9th, hit 4 out, no impression on winner from next, lost 2nd flat, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Oyster Shell (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Teenage Dream (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, mistake 3 out, no impression, 10th of 16, 42l behind Portway Flyer (11-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Nov.
Vukovar (FR) (10-10) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f 4yo hdl in Jun beating Dell' Arca (10-10) by 3l, 10 ran.
