held up in touch, jumped left throughout, reminder 3rd, lost touch 5th, pulled up after 9th
held up towards rear, headway and chased leader 8th, weakening when hampered 4 out, no impression after
held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out, hard driven flat, just held on
chased leader, left in lead 8th, headed 10th, left in lead 11th, ridden 4 out, headed 2 out, rallied and ran on well flat, just failed
led, mistake 2nd, blundered badly 8th and headed, led again 10th, fell 11th
held up towards rear, challenged 13th, close up when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
No Guarantees gets the nod over Principe Azzuro and Kaldouas. The last named showed ability over hurdles last season but has taken time to adapt to fences. Still, he got his act together well at Ludlow three weeks ago and he can make his presence known if his jumping holds together. Principe Azzuro jumped fluently when winning on his chasing debut but then made a hash of things when he went to Haydock a couple of weeks later. Henry Daly's charge proved that he has emerged unscathed from that experience when he gave a good account of himself at (also) at Ludlow 12 days ago and will be a big danger to all this afternoon. However, a chance is taken with No Guarantees, who has done very little wrong during his time over fences. Admittedly, the gelding is creeping up the weights, but that is a fair assessment of his progress and, as he has thus far been the most reliable chaser in the making; Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge edges the nomination on this occasion.
Dare Too Dream 66-1 (11-3) Stumbled badly pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Aztec Warrior (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft, 5 ran.
Go For One (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Made most, hit 10th, ridden and under pressure approaching last, stayed on well towards finish, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec beating William Butler (10-8) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Kaldouas (FR) 13-8fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway on outside approaching 12th, ridden after next, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Art Virginia (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Dec.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Prominent, led 10th, ridden after 2 out, edged left after last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Mokum (10-8) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
No Guarantees 9-4fav (11-8) Blundered badly 1st, led, hit 2nd, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, headed next, kept on, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Jaunty Times (11-8) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs (3) gs in Dec.
Principe Azzurro (FR) 11-2 (11-3) In touch, headway 11th, chase winner 2 out, soon outpaced, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Wiscalitus (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs.
