Midfield, headway to chase leaders 5 out, jumped into lead 4 out, went clear 3 out, ran on well
Mid-division, nudged along after 5 out, ridden and well held when pulled up 3 out
Prominent, led after 8th, headed 5 out, no extra from 3 out
In rear, pushed along 5 out, no impression, pulled up before 3 out
Midfield, headway to chase leaders 4 out, went second before 2 out, ran on well but never threatened winner
Towards rear, ridden and no impression from 5 out
Prominent, left in lead 7th, headed after 8th, regained lead 5 out, mistake 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
Prominent, fell 7th
Held up, headway to chase leaders 4 out, went into distant third after last
Coconut Splash shouldn’t be far away if building on his third in a decent handicap at Chepstow. Lust For Glory was never travelling on her chasing bow around this time last year but she is surely capable of better. Messire Des Obeaux was a very smart hurdler a couple of years ago but has had several setbacks and Diese Des Bieffes, another useful sort over timber, has a very long absence to overcome. Collooney was hampered at Haydock after winning over hurdles at Fontwell and should make a chaser but TOP MAN’s experience should count for plenty. He is also won at Fontwell this season and was hampered when falling at the first next time at Sandown. Getaway Fred is improving and shouldn’t be ignored.
Messire Des Obeaux (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 4th of 10, 24 1/4l behind Cervaro Mix (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Diese Des Bieffes (FR) 5-2fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, switched left before last, went 2nd flat, led final 150 yards, ran on well, readily, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Apr beating Theclockisticking (11-4) by 2l, 14 ran.
Lust For Glory (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, 2nd 2 out, led last bend, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3 1/4l behind Back On The Lash (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Collooney (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Held up in rear of midfield, towards rear when ridden after 4 out, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before last, at Haydock 3m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Coconut Splash (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) In touch in mid-division, not fluent 7th, effort 5 out,, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Anemoi (11-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Getaway Fred (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, almost upsides 4 out, ridden and outpaced 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Tamaroc Du Mathan (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Esprit De Somoza (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 5 out, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 9, dist behind Baddesley Knight (11-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Top Man (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Prominent when badly impeded and fell 1st, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Eragon De Chanay (FR) 18-1 (10-9) Fell 1st, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
