led, headed 2nd, blundered 4th, mistake 7th, weakened 13th, behind when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden and weakened 12th
tracked leader, led 9th, headed 3 out, rallied last to lead close home, all out
tracked leaders, led 2nd, jumped right 3 out, headed 9th, weakened next, pulled up 13th
towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden 9th, effort 10th, weakened and pulled up after 12th
towards rear, ridden 8th, very tired and scrambled over 11th, pulled up next
in touch, mistake 6th, led approaching 3 out, all out, headed close home
in touch, mistake 3rd, ridden 14th, ran on to chase winner close home
mid-division, headway approaching 10th, mistake 14th, weakening when blundered 2 out
towards rear, mistake 3rd, ran 7th, dropped rear, pulled up before 10th
The Spieler is the most interesting one in the field and he gets the vote ahead of Valiant Shadow and Mikado. The selection has only had three starts under rules and this former point-to-pointer comes here on the back of his best effort at Newton Abbott. He didn't seem to find much for pressure on that last run over hurdles but it may be that it was a pipe-opener for a chase campaign and he gets the nod here. Anglicisme is one to watch in the betting coming back from a break, whilst Mikado is sure to be high on many shortlists. He is a fair enough hurdler, was decent on the flat, and comes here on his chase debut as a major player. He stays quite well but is yet to win on ground this quick. Valiant Shadow was well-fancied last time at Perth on his second start over fences but was very disappointing; his jumping needs to improve before he will be winning. Shouldawoudacouda represents a stable in fair form and cannot be ruled out on his fencing debut, and whilst Dasher Reilly is entitled to go close on official ratings, it is The Spieler who gets the nod.
Always Baileys (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Behind after 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Yellow Flag (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Anglicisme (FR) 13-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 7th, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 11, well behind Malko De Beaumont (10-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Dasher Reilly (USA) 5-1 (11-0) Led, hit 3rd, headed 3 out, soon ridden, not fluent next, soon no extra, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Timetwogo (11-0) at Southwell 3m 2f mdn chs (4) gf.
Gotontheluckyone (IRE) 80-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 6th of 13, 49l behind Shanahan (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd.
Mikado 9-1 (11-12) Jumped left, held up, ridden and losing touch when blundered 6th, soon well behind, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Pocket Too (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Mistified (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along after 7th, reminders and soon struggling, 6th of 8, well behind William Butler (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Shoudawoudacouda (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division, not fluent 7th, headway next, outpaced approaching 2 out, 5th of 13, 8l behind Rightful Ruler (11-4) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
The Spieler (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 6th, led after 3 out, ridden, headed next, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Indian Pipe Dream (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Valiant Shadow (GER) 5-2fav (10-12) Behind and mistakes, outpaced from 13th, 7th of 12, 47l behind Franc Villez (10-12) at Perth 3m nov chs (4) gd.
Thixendale 150-1 (10-6) Chased clear leader until approaching 4th, weakened before next, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Lady Traill (10-10) at Worcester 2m mrs mdn hdl (5) gf.
