led until after 11th, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before last
chased leader, challenged 11th, soon led, headed 3 out, mistake and weakened next
chased leaders, mistake and lost place 12th, closed on outside 4 out, led before 2 out, stayed on gamely flat
held up in last, mistake 7th, jumped left next, closed 12th, challenged 3 out, held flat, kept on
withdrawn
SKATMAN was left to come home alone at Newton Abbot on his chasing bow as both rivals failed to complete. This will prove more of a test but he’ll have benefitted for the experience and Paul Nicholls’ charge gets the vote. Aviewtosea had the measure of Farouk De Cheneau when winning at Bangor and is 5lb higher while Punxsutawney Phil came good at Stratford and steps up in class and distance. Taste The Fear makes his chasing debut having won over this far over hurdles.
Skatman (IRE) 8-11fav (11-8) Led until 10th, chased leader, urged along before 14th, not fluent next, pecked 16th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden to lead and going best when left alone 2 out, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Taste The Fear (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Led, slow 5th, soon headed, led before 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 4, 16 3/4l behind Isthebaropen (11-4) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Aviewtosea (IRE) 7-4 (10-11) Held up in last, headway 12th, not fluent 14th, led 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Farouk De Cheneau (11-6) by 6l, 4 ran.
Punxsutawney Phil (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Prominent, some headway after 3rd, ridden to lead 12th, pushed along home turn, good jump last, kept on strongly, won at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Cremant (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Farouk De Cheneau (FR) 10-3 (11-6) Led, not fluent 13th, headed 4 out, outpaced 2 out, plugged on flat, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Aviewtosea (10-11) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
