led, driven and clear when ran out 2 out
held up, outpaced 4 out, ridden and headway next, left 2nd 2 out, kept on, no impression
in touch, effort 3 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last
held up, headway when blundered 4 out, soon struggling, no chance when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leader, driven 3 out, left in lead next, ridden and stayed on well flat
Cerium gets the call here ahead of Nyrche and Stance. Cerium looked smart when beating Garde Champetre at Warwick on his chasing debut and gets the call here, even though the runner-up was beaten at Cheltenham last time. Nyrche makes a quick reappearance following a good Wincanton win and is very much respected, while Stance looked good when winning on his debut and, even though he was well beaten behind the useful Celtic Son last time, his trainer does well here and he could go well. Much as Feel The Pride's winning run came to an end when falling here last time, she cannot be ruled out, and Roman Ark, a Grade 2 winning hurdler, will have been well schooled for his hurdling debut. All in all, it adds up to a good race, with the vote going to Cerium.
Nyrche (FR) 5-4fav (11-9) Jumped well, made all, left clear last, readily, won at Wincanton 2m nov chs (C) gd beating Tighe Caster (11-9) by 10l, 5 ran.
Stance 12-1 (11-10) Prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 7, 27l behind Celtic Son (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd.
Feel The Pride (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Chased leaders in 3rd when fell at the 2nd in race won by Baby Run (11-4) at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (A) gs in Oct, 5 ran.
Roman Ark 25-1 (11-7) Not fluent 7th, always towards rear, 19th of 20, 44l behind No Refuge (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Cerium (FR) 11-10fav (10-5) Tracked leader from 6th, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on, all out, won at Warwick 2m nov chs (C) gd in Oct beating Garde Champetre (11-4) by 1l, 7 ran.
Scarrabus (IRE) 5-2 (10-7) Held up last, good headway to lead on inside 3 out, pushed clear last, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn chs (E) gf in Sept beating Pharshu (10-7) by 5l, 7 ran.
