led, ridden after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened flat
chased leader, lost touch 11th, soon weakened, pulled up before 14th
in touch, ridden and weakened 15th, pulled up after 4 out
mid-division, headway and chased leader 17th, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, driven out and stayed on well
mid-division, reminder 10th, ridden and chased leaders 17th, weakened after 4 out
towards rear, ridden 15th, weakened next
in touch until pulled up quickly after 12th, dismounted
held up last, headway 15th, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out, stayed on well from 2 out, not reached winner
prominent, blundered 16th, weakened 17th, pulled up before 3 out
RODRIGO GONZALES can call the tune although wide margin winners Nicto De Beauchene and Zacharova are sure to be popular. Rodrigo Gonzales wouldn't have finished within a length of Pressgang if the latter had run in a straight line but it was by far and away the best performance of his short chase career and he's fancied to build on that here. This trip is a step into the unknown as his running at Hexham wasn't a reflection of his ability but we're hopeful that he'll see it out well. Nicto De Beauchene couldn't have been more impressive when winning over course and distance and this half-brother to Miko De Beauchene is sure to be popular and may be capable of shaking off the handicapper's attentions. We're less confident that that will be true of Zacharova who could find the combination of a 12lb rise and this company more than he cares for. Lord Killeshanra attracted support last time and isn't badly treated but is far from reliable unlike Creinch who should run an honourable race in defeat. Hennessy has the frame to carry a big weight and there should be more to come from him after just three chase starts and he's respected but Rodrigo Gonzales is fancied to provide his small team with a valuable success.
Stolen Moments (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leader, reminder 13th, led 14th, ridden approaching 4 out, headed briefly flat, pushed out and kept on gamely close home, won at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec beating Pass Me A Dime (11-3) by a hd, 6 ran.
Tora Bora (GER) 28-1 (10-2) Led until 5th, prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakening when mistake next, 14th of 16, well behind Fair Along (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Rodrigo Gonzales (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led 9th to 12th, stayed prominent, left with every chance when winner jumped violently left last 3, held run-in, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Pressgang (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Double Dizzy 13-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 17l behind Pretty Star (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Pauillac (FR) 2-1fav (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd approaching 5 out, mistake 4 out, soon beaten, 4th of 5, 13l behind Presenting Copper (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Nicto De Beauchene (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway halfway, led 12th, stayed on strongly from 3 out, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec beating Go For One (11-8) by 15l, 11 ran.
Creinch 8-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, chased leaders 11th, under pressure 3 out, stayed on to take third approaching last, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Ferimon (11-8) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Lord Killeshanra (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway 5 out to chase leaders, ridden next, soon no extra, 4th of 11, 39l behind Nicto De Beauchene (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Zacharova (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) In touch, left 2nd 13th, led 3 out, not fluent last, eased towards finish, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating Twilight Eagle (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Hennessy (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led until 5th, disputed 2nd, went 2nd 3 out, driven approaching 2 out, led last, stayed on well flat, won at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd beating Fair Point (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
