led until 14th, chased winner, every chance when blundered 3 out, soon ridden, kept on, no extra flat
chased leaders, hit 6th, blundered 14th, weakening when hit next, soon tailed off
held up, ridden after 4 out, soon no impression, mistake 2 out
chased leaders, led 14th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on, driven out
held up, took closer order 12th, mistake 14th, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace
held up, lost touch after 17th, stayed on from 3 out, went 4th flat
held up, headway 12th, ridden and effort after 4 out, weakened next
never travelling well in rear, tailed off and pulled up after 13th
chased leaders until 9th, lost touch 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Dante Citizen showed that he handles fast ground when successful at Hereford last time and has to be respected on that evidence but Tom George's gelding has gone up 11lbs for that effort and he looks worth taking on off his new mark with preference for Lord Anner, who gets the vote ahead of Elenas River. The selection was a winning pointer before joining Paul Nicholls and has shown progressive form over fences this term and he gets the vote to resume winning ways. Zaffamore has a bit to find with the selection on running over course and distance on Boxing Day, while Kausse de Thaix has claims at the weights but may want a softer surface. Old campaigner Walter's Destiny is hard to recommend on recent evidence and of more interest may be Beau Supreme, who has slipped to a fair mark. Elenas River, who has come back after an absence, showed improved form last time and could be of interest but Lord Anner has done little wrong over the last 12 months and is taken to resume winning ways.
Beau Supreme (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) In touch to 8th, soon no chance, 5th of 8, 33l behind Pure Magic (10-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gf in Apr.
Lord Anner (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Not fluent 1st, blundered 3rd, headway 15th, blundered and lost place 17th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 6l behind Tom Sayers (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Elenas River (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Prominent, mistake 16th, chased leader 4 out, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Tom Sayers (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Dante Citizen (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Always prominent, ridden after 15th, led approaching 3 out, strongly pressed from last, just held on, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr beating Noble Buck (9-11) by a shd, 10 ran.
Zaffamore (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Always towards rear, 4th of 10, 22l behind Tribal Dancer (9-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Kausse de Thaix (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 11th, hit 3 out, switched right 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Sissinghurst Storm (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Dealer's Choice (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Chased leaders until slightly outpaced after 9th, not a danger after, 5th of 11, 13l behind Hever Road (10-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
Walter's Destiny 18-1 (10-1) Prominent, led 9th to 15th, outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching 3 out, ran on well from last, took 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Tom Sayers (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
