prominent, mistake 6th, fell 14th
in touch, headway on bit approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, drifted clear approaching last, hard ridden and found nil flat, headed close home
mid-division, ridden 8th, hit 4 out, soon weakened
led to 14th, chased leaders until ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
prominent, ridden 16th, weakened after 17th
prominent, chased leader 10th to 13th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up in mid-division, shaken up 14th, ridden after 17th, blundered 4 out, headway on outside approaching 3 out, challenged approaching last, ran on strongly to lead post
towards rear, ridden approaching 13th, never reached leaders
chased leader, joined leader 13th, led 14th, pecked 16th, blundered badly and headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up last, ridden and headway from 4 out, stayed on well from 2 out, nearest finish
prominent, ridden 16th, mistake 3 out, kept on same pace
Lord Anner looks a progressive recruit to the Paul Nicholls stable and we recommend him ahead of I Hear Thunder and Black De Bessy. The Andy Stewart colours have been carried by some useful horses in their time and while Lord Anner has a lot to do to reach those giddy heights - he has been intelligently campaigned by Paul Nicholls and he should be capable of going in off a mark of 112. A tongue tie is applied for the first time. Topweight I Hear Thunder will win races this term but not with the ground as it currently is. The top-weight will not lack for guts and effort - he just might find one or two of these a little better handicapped than himself at present. Black De Bessy represents a yard that are having plenty of success under both codes at present. A ready winner of a race over course-and-distance - he went on to finish third to Bold Bishop in a hot race at Newbury. Tom Sayers and Koquelicot are difficult to separate on their better form. The latter put up a solid performance in a Cross Country race at Cheltenham but they went a much more pedestrian pace around there than they are likely to here. Connections of Snowy Ford are likely to have had this race in mind for quite some time. There was no fluke about his win at Fontwell and he is a typically sound fencer. Yann's hails from a yard in form and is watched in the market. A good race in prospect and a chance for Lord Anner to continue his progression up the ladder.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) In touch, mistake 10th, lost place 12th, towards rear when rider lost irons 4 out, never dangerous after, 5th of 8, 32l behind Captain Corelli (9-9) at Haydock 3m hcp chs (B) sft.
Black de Bessy (FR) 3-1fav (10-3) Mid-division, lost place 11th, ridden and stayed on under strong pressure to take 3rd close home, but no chance with front pair, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Bold Bishop (11-3) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Nov.
Snowy Ford (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Jumped right, held up, good headway approaching 4 out, challenged from next, ridden and every chance last, rallying when squeezed out close home, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Stormy Skye (10-2) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Oct.
Koquelicot (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, led 25th, ridden when headed 5 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Ivoire De Beaulieu (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs 0-150 (B) gs.
Tom Sayers (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Led until fell at the 16th in race won by Comanche War Paint (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs, 5 ran.
Zaffamore (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Towards rear, slow jump 4th, ridden 15th, tailed off when, 5th of 6, well behind Le Jaguar (11-4) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd.
Lord Anner (IRE) 5-4fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 10th, clear when hit 2 out, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Nov beating Noble Baron (11-8) by 9l, 10 ran.
Yann's (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place after 8th, headway approaching 12th, every chance 3 out to approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Millenaire (11-8) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd.
