led, mistake 1st, not fluent and headed 6th, slow and lost place 8th, weakened before 4 out
held up, pulled hard, closed after 5th, mistake 6th, struggling after 9th, well beaten 4 out, awkward and took remote 3rd last
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 3 out, mistake last, stayed on
chased leader, led 6th, headed 3 out, no impression on winner flat
jumped right, held up in last, headway 7th, weakened 3 out, lost 3rd last
chased leaders, lost place after 5th, last from next, soon behind, pulled up after 9th
Bumper and hurdles winner SEVEN DE BAUNE is the best of these over timber. He’s had just the one start so far this year but should go close if running anywhere near his hurdles mark on his first start over fences. Really Super also makes his chasing bow having won easily over hurdles here last month and is weighted to get the better of another chasing newcomer in Majestic Touch. Mellow Ben found a higher rated rival too good over fences at Newton Abbot but is preferred to Francky Du Berlais of the remainder.
Francky Du Berlais (FR) 7-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, ridden after last, lost 2nd home bend, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Tonto's Spirit (11-8) at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gs in Aug.
Majestic Touch (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Held up in 4th, closed from 7th, pressed winner 2 out, over 1 length down last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Sizing Granite (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Mellow Ben (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 1st, left when hampered 11th, tried to close on winner 3 out, no impression, well held next, 2nd of 4, 8l behind De Plotting Shed (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (3) gs in Aug.
Seven De Baune (FR) (10-12) 2nd of 11, 5l behind Le Malin (11-2) at Dieppe 2m 3f sft in Jun.
Whatthebutlersaw (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Really Super 4-1 (11-5) With leader, led 3 out, driven clear before last, in no danger after, easily, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Bally Longford (11-12) by 14l, 5 ran.