tracked leader, ridden 2 out, led briefly, edged left under pressure from last
held up, mistake 5th, not fluent 7th, held from 8th
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, edged left under pressure, flat
led, hit 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, very tired when mistake last
in rear stumbled 3rd, virtually refused to race and pulled approaching 4th
held up, behind from 6th
Panjo Bere and Cool Operator are both capable performers but this looks to be between Free World and CALGARY BAY, with preference for the latter. Henrietta Knight's gelding made a pleasing start to his chasing career when finding just I'msingingtheblues too good at Doncaster last month before putting up an improved and highly impressive performance when landing Cheltenham's Dipper Novices' Chase. A reproduction of the form shown that day will make him hard to beat. Henry Daly's Stumped was capable over hurdles but needs to improve on what he has shown over fences to trouble the judge and of more interest may be Panjo Bere. Gary Moore's gelding has already won twice over fences and lost no caste in defeat behind Deep Purple last time but this is tougher. Howard Johnson's Cool Operator has similar claims and a bigger threat is likely to come from Free World. Useful over hurdles in France, Paul Nicholls has wasted no time in putting him over fences and he has run well in both starts over the larger obstacles, latterly when chasing home Araldur in the Henry VIII at Sandown. He rates the main threat to the selection Calgary Bay.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Took keen hold early, settled in last pair, progress to track leaders 10th, blundered 13th, led going well before 2 out, jumped well last, driven and stayed on strongly flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs beating Kicks For.
Cool Operator 6-4fav (11-7) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 5th, joined leader 8th, badly hampered 12th, recovered well, soon tracking leaders, every chance when blundered last, soon ridden to lead all out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Nov beating P.
Panjo Bere (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Held up behind leaders, jumped left 9th, disputed 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Deep Purple (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Free World (FR) 4-5fav (11-2) Took keen hold, slight lead before 3rd where mistake, jumped left 8th, hit 3 out and next, strongly pressed flat, headed final strides, 2nd of 5, nk behind Araldur (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Roman Villa (USA) 33-1 (11-12) Held up, never a factor, behind when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Dream Falcon (9-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Stumped 9-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 8th, went 3rd 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 20l behind Doctor David (11-4) at Haydock 2m nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
