held up in touch, pushed along 6th, ridden 3 out, no impression, 3rd unbeaten when fell last
left in lead 1st, hit 8th, ridden and headed 10th, soon weakened
held up in rear, jumped left and unseated rider 2nd
left 2nd 1st, led 10th, soon clear, readily
held up, ridden and headway 8th, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
Look Collonges was quite impressive when winning over course and distance on his debut and can score again at the expense of L'Aventure, Great Travel and Lewis Island. Fresh from its Peterborough Chase success with Jair du Cochet, the Guillaume Macaire stable will be hopeful of following up here, although one of his travelling companions, the Auteuil winner L'Aventure could give him something to think about in receipt of 13lbs. So could great Travel, a Paul Nicholls-trained French import who fell on his chasing debut but, as he proved when winning in the French Provinces, he's better than that. Red Halo is a dual hurdles winner and German trainer Christian von der Recke, who has a good record in this country, sends over Water Quirl, who has more of a Flat pedigree. Lewis Island, a dual hurdles winner for Nigel Twiston-Davies, should strip fitter for his seasonal return. However, as this is his chasing debut, we'll opt for the French pair, with the vote just going to Look Collonges.