prominent early, tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 3rd, every chance when fell 2 out
held up in rear, raced keenly, slightly hampered 2 out, soon made progress, challenged last, led flat, edged right towards finish, driven out
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace from last, held by leaders flat
prominent, took keen hold, led after 2nd, headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, took keen hold, weakened after 2 out
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 5th, not fluent 7th, challenged 2 out, led last, headed flat, held and lost 2nd towards finish
led until after 2nd, tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, unable to quicken, stayed on and went 2nd towards finish
held up, headway on outside 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway after 2 out, 5th and one pace last, no impression
Robinsfirth is an exciting prospect but there wouldn't be much between him and Vago Collonges on the form book. Colin Tizzard also runs Thistlecrack and Native River but the latter has to give weight to his eight rivals. Present View is probably better over fences while Stilletto is upped in class and Ordo Ab Chao had his limitations exposed in this grade at Sandown last month. VALUE AT RISK (NAP) had some smart bumper form - he finished well ahead of Some Buckle in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown last April - and produced an eye-opening debut over timber for new connections at Newbury when beating a subsequent winner by more than 20 lengths without coming off the bridle. He can cope with the step up in grade.
Native River (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leader until before 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching next, last of 6, 12l behind Parlour Games (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Ordo Ab Chao (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up tracking leading trio, 2nd before 2 out until 2 out, ridden and weakened between last two, 4th of 5, 18l behind Vyta Du Roc (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec.
Robinsfirth (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Prominent, mistake 4th, not fluent 3 out, led after 2 out, headed flat, edged left and stayed on, held final 50 yards, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Thomas Brown (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Stilletto (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Always prominent, mistake 7th, led 4 out, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Robbie Rabbit (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Thistlecrack 5-4fav (10-12) Raced keenly, chased clear leader, closed easily before 2 out, led on bit between last two, clear before last, heavily eased final 100 yards, won at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) hvy beating Revaader (10-12) by 9l, 12 ran.
Vago Collonges (FR) 2-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, steady headway approaching 7th, tracking leaders going well when slightly hampered on bend after 3 out, 2nd on bit 2 out, upsides last, quickened to lead run-in, soon pushed clear, easily, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft beating Remiluc (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Value At Risk 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, came clear before 2 out, kept on strongly, impressive, won at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec beating Foryourinformation (10-12) by 22l, 10 ran.
Present View 5-1fav (11-0) Led 1st until 3rd, prominent, led 9th, headed last, stayed on, held by leaders towards finish, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Caid Du Berlais (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Some Buckle (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 3 out, headed last, led narrowly run-in, kept on and headed close home, 2nd of 11, shd behind Glingerburn (11-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
