raced in 2nd and copied leader jumping right, challenged on bit 4 out, shaken up to lead after last, soon clear, eased towards finish
jumped right, led, ridden approaching 4 out, headed after last, no chance with winner
held up, pushed along after 6th, went 3rd after 8th until 11th, soon weakened, tailed off
pulled hard, held up in rear, blundered 1st, progress to go 3rd 6th until after 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, jumped left 1st, not fluent 7th, went 3rd 11th, weakened from 3 out
held up, reminders after 4th, weakened 10th, mistake 11th, tailed off
Hydromatic has ability but Colin Tizzard's gelding has failed to complete in his last two starts and may be best watched at present so this really should lie between Chrysander and Ocean Du Moulin, with marginal preference for the latter. The selection has taken well to fences having disappointed on his debut over the larger obstacles, winning well at Fakenham before losing no caste in defeat behind Mister Gloss at Exeter. Paul Nicholls continues to churn out plenty of winners and Ocean Du Moulin is taken to be another one. Orion Express has shown some respectable form over hurdles but needs to improve for the switch to fences to trouble the judge. Chrysander has taken pretty well to fences and has solid claims but marginal preference is for Ocean Du Moulin.
Chrysander 11-10fav (11-5) Led, mistake 7th, mistake and headed 3 out, rallied to lead 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Orpen Wide (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Ocean du Moulin (FR) 11-10 (11-4) Led, clear until 3rd, headed 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra after last, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Mister Gloss (11-4) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in May.
Hydromatic (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led to 4th, mistake 5th, led 6th to 7th, ridden and hung right after 10th, weakened approaching 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Earcomesannie (9-10) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 10 ran.
Icey Run 150-1 (10-7) Mistake and rider lost iron briefly 1st, soon mid-division, weakened 4th, tailed off next, 9th of 12, well behind Brayford Lad (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Apr.
Orion Express 10-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, raced keenly, not fluent 6th or 7th, headway going well after 9th, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 20l behind Grand Slam Hero (11-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Sandywell George 200-1 (11-7) Behind from 11th and pulled up at the 7th in race won by Take The Stand (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
