mid-division, not fluent 7th, headway from 14th, every chance approaching 2 out, 3rd and no extra before last
prominent, led 11th, not fluent 3 out, headed next, led again last, held on gamely
tracked leaders on outside, jumped left 2nd, mistake 11th, struggling from 13th, mistake and well beaten 4 out
led until mistake 2nd, chased leaders, hit 8th, not fluent 10th, mistake next, struggling 12th, well beaten 15th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 12th, not fluent 14th, led 2 out, headed last, stayed on, just held
not always fluent, mid-division, carried left 2nd, lost place before 9th, mistake next, well beaten from 16th, well behind when bad mistake 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway 9th, ridden after 15th, weakened after 4 out, blundered and unseated rider 3 out
prominent, went left and led 2nd, not fluent 10th, headed next, not fluent 14th, 4th and no extra 2 out, weakened
NonRunner
More than half of this field are making their debuts over the larger obstacles and those that have already run over fences have been in decent form. What Happens Now is on a four-timer and Pawn Star has won three of his last four, though both are looking high enough in the weights now. Minellacelebration should improve on his second at Exeter and Follow The Swallow ran well for third at Warwick last month. WHAT A MOMENT started out in point-to-points so has been marking time over hurdles. He's only raced on soft ground so far but there is no reason why he won't handle this quicker surface so he gets a tentative vote. Zanstra and Beggars Cross should also eventually make chasers.
Pawn Star (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Chased leaders, front pair clear 4th, closed 11th, challenged 4 out, soon led, clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Exeter 3m hcp (4) gf in Oct beating Schindler's Prince (11-1) by 7l, 8 ran.
Minellacelebration (IRE) 8-15fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, not much room when hampered 3rd, led 13th, headed after next, slightly outpaced until rallied 4 out, led next, headed last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Rock Of Leon (11-5) at Exeter 3m (4) gf in Oct.
Beggars Cross (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway after 4th, not fluent next, ridden approaching 2 out, 4th and beaten last, 4th of 14, 10l behind Marquis Of Carabas (11-0) at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gd in May.
What Happens Now (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Made all, not fluent 11th, driven flat, stayed on gamely, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating For 'n' Against (11-5) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
What A Moment (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Held up in rear, closed 8th, switched left and went after 2 out, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Ballymalin (10-12) at Perth 3m (4) sft in Sep.
Zanstra (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, went 2nd 3 out, 2 lengths down 2 out, led flat, stayed on, won at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Vivas (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Follow The Swallow (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders 3rd, pushed along after 11th, went 2nd 13th, ridden and no impression after 3 out, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Ready Token (11-3) at Warwick 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Dr Robin (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 4th, headed 2 out, not fluent last, weakened flat, 4th of 13, 11 1/2l behind Mr Shantu (11-12) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Behind The Wire (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, chased leaders before 2 out (normal 3 out), no extra bypassing omitted last, 4th of 12, 21 1/4l behind Wotzizname (11-1) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) gs in Apr.
