tracked leaders, went 2nd after 13th, no impression on winner from 2 out
pressed leader, led 4th, not fluent next, jumped left 6th, not fluent 11th or when headed next, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, not fluent 7th, reminders approaching 12th, mistake 13th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
led until 4th, not fluent 7th, led 12th, clear from 2 out, eased final 100 yards
A tricky race to end proceedings but Paul Nicholls' won this last year with The Minack and DOESLESSTHANME can land this year's renewal. He just failed to catch the winner Oldrik at Taunton last time and the latter's stablemate Roalco De Farges looks the main threat to the selection here. Philip Hobbs' charge has been raised 11lb for his latest win at Newbury and will need further improvement here as Skint also has claims having landed a novice event at Bangor on his reappearance. Webberys Dream did better when runner-up over these fences last month, but has plenty to find on today's terms.
Doeslessthanme (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Took keen hold, mostly tracked leader until led after 5th, headed 7th, hit 4 out, challenged next, driven flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Oldrik (10-12) at Taunton 2m Novice Limited Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gs in Dec.
Roalco De Farges (FR) 22-1 (11-6) In touch, closed 4th, challenged 7th (water), soon led, mistake 11th, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov beating Arturo Uno (10-3) by 9l, 15 ran.
Skint 8-11fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 3rd, led 6th, blundered 7th, not fluent 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (4) sft in Dec beating Ultimate (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Webberys Dream 16-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, led 11th, headed 3 out, blundered next, no extra, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Rangitoto (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
