with leaders until 9th, chased leaders, ridden after 14th, weakened after 17th
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 14th, hit next, ridden after 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd after next, kept on but no chance with winner
in touch, reminders after 7th, hit 14th, soon behind, tailed off
chased leaders, driven along from 8th, behind 13th, pulled up after next
in touch, headway to chase leaders 14th, gradually weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led until 10th, chased winner, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next
held up towards rear, headway 14th, chased winner briefly 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, mistake last
tracked leaders, led 10th, clear when hit 2 out, stayed on well
held up behind, some headway 17th, soon ridden, no impression after
held up towards rear, slipped on bend after 13th, stayed on past beaten horses from 3 out, never a danger
Lord Anner gets the call here ahead of mainly Noble Baron and Even More. The Paul Nicholls-trained selection comes here with a good reputation and on the back of a course and distance novice handicap chase win, for which he has been raised eight pounds. Even so, he is likely to be a popular choice today. Earl's Kitchen has been raised 10 pounds for his Chepstow win two runs ago and, given that he stays well, could go well, although he has been absent since March. Noble Baron is well-weighted on his best hurdling form and was going well when falling at Exeter last time. He is respected, while Even More is now rated just a pound higher than for a course and distance winning mark and, given that he should strip fitter for his Exeter return, is another to consider. A number of the others have career-high marks to overcome or are unproven at today's trip, but Ede'Iff, who has gone well here in the past, holds place claims off his current mark, and Lucky Sinna, a perennial bridesmaid last season, holds claims on the best of those efforts, but this season's runs have not been encouraging. Overall, then, once again the vote goes to Lord Anner.
Earl's Kitchen 33-1 (11-11) Prominent, lost place 13th, mistake 15th, weakened after 23rd, 11th of 20, 47l behind Another Rum (11-7) at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (B) gd in Mar.
Noble Baron 9-2 (11-0) In touch, close up when fell at the 12th in race won by Saffron Sun (10-9) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs, 11 ran.
Even More (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Prominent until 9th, gradually faded, 9th of 11, well behind Saffron Sun (10-9) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs.
Stanway 33-1 (11-12) Always behind, 9th of 15, well behind Nazimabad (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd in Oct.
Penthouse Minstrel 22-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace, 6th of 13, 11l behind Black De Bessy (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd.
Dante Citizen (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, lost place 17th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Prince of Slane (9-9) at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in May, 11 ran.
Ede'iff 40-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden and some headway approaching 4 out, stayed on one pace from 3 out, 5th of 13, 10l behind Black De Bessy (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd.
Lord Anner (IRE) 5-4fav (10-8) Prominent, blundered 4th, joined leader 14th, led 3 out and blundered 3 out, headed briefly approaching last, ran on well flat, won at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd in Oct beating Ultimate Limit (10-8) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lucky Sinna (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Raced wide, held up, slightly hampered 10th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Master d'Or (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Oct, 7 ran.
Lucky Leader (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Mid-division, tracked leaders 9th, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 11, 21l behind Saffron Sun (10-9) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs.
