mid-division, 5th and in touch when fell 9th
prominent, went 2nd before 3rd, ridden after 3 out, disputing 3rd when fell 2 out
held up in rear, jumped slowly and went left 4th, headway after 9th, challenged for 2nd 3 out, disputing 3rd when fell 2 out
mid-division, in rear from 6th, left moderate 4th 2 out
led, ridden 2 out, soon headed, hung right and weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, went 2nd 3 out, led after 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
chased leader, slipped on landing 2nd, lost 2nd before next, jumped slowly 6th, 7th and 8th and gradually lost place, behind next, soon tailed off
held up towards rear, blundered 2nd, jinked right and wandered 4th, headway approaching 9th, hampered and left 3rd 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression
Nonrunner
Papini was good value for his reappearance success at Ascot earlier this month and, on that showing, Nicky Henderson's gelding looks the one that they all have to beat and gets the vote ahead of Leslingtaylor and Tramantano. The last mentioned represents the in-form yard of Nigel Twiston-Davies and like the selection put up a decent performance when making a winning chasing debut here last month. He has to be respected, as does Charlie Mann's Moon Over Miami, although he would need to improve from his recent Kempton outing. The Paul Nicholls-trained Predateur receives weight all round as a four-year-old and could be of interest but lack of a recent run is of concern. Irish raider Classic Croco and David Pipe's Nous Voila, who has looked very useful in the past, are others to consider along with John Quinn's recent Aintree winner Leslingtaylor. Papini looked a decent chaser at Ascot though and he is taken to follow up.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Held up, headway after 3 out, chased leader after next, led last, kept on well, won at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (1) gd in Oct beating Marodima (10-7) by 7l, 6 ran.
Papini (IRE) 4-6fav (11-2) Made all, shaken up to draw clear after 2 out, readily, won at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gf beating Tycoon Hall (10-13) by 6l, 8 ran.
Tramantano 4-1 (11-2) Held up, steady headway from 3 out, stayed on approaching last, driven and stayed on to lead close home, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (3) gs in Oct beating Marodima (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Admiral Peary (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, tracked leaders until weakened after 4 out, 4th of 6, 21l behind Imperial Commander (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
Dev (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Made most until ridden and headed when not fluent 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Leslingtaylor (11-2) at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (1) gd in Oct.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 13-8fav (11-4) Took keen hold, not always fluent, held up in touch, went 3rd at 7th, ridden, blundered and went badly left 2 out, no chance after, 5th of 8, 24l behind Mahogany Blaze (11-4) at Kempton 2m beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
Nous Voila (FR) 9-4 (11-4) Prominent, led approaching 6th, drifted right and headed approaching last, one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Howle Hill (11-10) at Warwick 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct '06.
Predateur (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway and chased leader after 4th, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 17, 18l behind Osana (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Classic Croco (GER) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden in moderate 5th 3 out, kept on without threatening from next, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Sky's The Limit (11-2) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs gd.
