in touch, headway 5 out, weakened after 3 out
towards rear, headway 10th, led 3 out, pushed out
led, jumped left and headed 11th, hung left and weakened
always behind, soon tailed off
tracked leader, led 11th, headed 3 out, blundered next, no extra
Trenchant had some very decent form over hurdles and his debut fourth over fences at Chepstow will have taught him plenty. He's preferred to stablemate Midnight Sail but RANGITOTO may just have a bit more scope and will have had plenty of schooling. Paul Nicholls' charge, progressive over timber in the spring, is fancied to make a winning debut over the larger obstacles. Webberys Dream had Midnight Sail behind when a distant second to Duke Of Lucca over C&D last time but is up against another couple of potentially smart novices today.
Midnight Sail 22-1 (11-0) Held up in 6th, pushed along in 5th after 12th, went 4th on inside before 3 out, left modest 3rd and badly hampered 2 out, hit last, weakened to 4th flat, 4th of 9, 44l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs.
Rangitoto (IRE) 9-4fav (10-11) Mid-division on outside, driven and headway approaching 2 out, effort last, ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead final 50 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Nov beating Timesawastin (10-12) by 2l, 18 ran.
Sew On Target (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led after 2f, headed 8f out, rallied over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 10, 18l behind Tiger Maguire (11-2) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy.
The Grifter 25-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, weakened before 5 out, 6th of 11, well behind Valley View (11-1) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy.
Trenchant 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 6th, lost place before 5 out, weakened 3 out, moderate 4th, 4th of 8, 19l behind Teaforthree (11-1) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy.
Webberys Dream 100-1 (10-9) Led, hit 3rd, headed after next, chased winner, hit 4 out, lost 2nd before 3 out, left modest 2nd next, 2nd of 9, 27l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs.