tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression before last
made all, came towards stands side rail before last, soon pressed, ridden and stayed on strongly to forge clear flat
held up in touch on inside, hit 9th, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before last, tailed off
in touch on outside, driven after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression before last
held up behind in touch, headway on outside after 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden and effort between last 2, no extra in 3rd flat
held up in rear in touch, headway on outside approaching 2 out, effort to challenge on stands side rail last, soon ridden, kept on same pace, well held flat
tracked winner, pushed along 9th, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and behind
The chasers Aerial and Mon Mome look worth opposing against some up-and-coming novices in this. Boyfromnowhere likes to force the pace and has already won at Uttoxeter and Ffos Las but it's a worry that he was easily picked off by the exposed Awaywiththegreys at Chepstow in between. The latter was no match for CONEYGREE over 2m5f here next time in a race in which According To Trev could only muster the one pace in third. The longer trip today will suit Nigel Twiston-Davies' gelding but it's still difficult to see him reversing the placings with Mark Bradstock's impressive winner, who can complete the hat-trick over timber. Useful pointer Ardkilly Witness made a winning start over hurdles at Towcester and is open to improvement and Midnight Appeal got off the mark when beating a previous winner at Hereford but Thomas Crapper may be out of his depth.
According To Trev (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, chased winner next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, lost 2nd last, no impression flat, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Coneygree (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Coneygree 8-1 (11-4) Made all, driven after 2 out, ridden and stayed on strongly to forge clear flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (1) sft in Nov beating Bondage (11-7) by 7l, 9 ran.
Ardkilly Witness (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Raced wide, pressed leader, led 5th, made rest, came clear from 2 out, easily, won at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Tigresse Bleue (10-5) by 5l, 15 ran.
Boyfromnowhere (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Jumped right, made all, went right after 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating High Ho Sheriff (10-12) by 11l, 8 ran.
Midnight Appeal 10-3 (10-12) Always prominent, led after 3 out, clear last, pushed out, won at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Return Spring (11-5) by 3l, 12 ran.
Aerial (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division on outside, headway to chase leaders 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 18, well behind Al Ferof (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Mon Mome (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, slow and ridden 14th, never on terms after, 10th of 16, well behind Monbeg Dude (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Thomas Crapper 15-8fav (11-4) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway next, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 14l behind Two Rockers (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft.
