held up, effort approaching 4 out, soon one pace
chased winner, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
made most, clear 4th, headed 10th until 12th, drew clear from 3 out, stayed on well
in touch, headway approaching 4 out, soon ridden, went 2nd 2 out, no further impression on winner
held up, took closer order 8th, hit 11th, ridden after 15th, one pace from 4 out
always behind, tailed off from 10th
chased leaders until weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders, led 10th until 12th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
Naunton Brook gets the confident vote here with Out The Black and Galtee View rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time when beating Kinburn, that form looks rock solid in the context of this race, and despite his penalty under conditions that suit, he is taken to win again. Out The Black rates the main danger on his best form but he was slightly disappointing last time out so cannot be put forward with much confidence. Galtee View is another worthy of respect but he ran in snatches last time out and is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder, Keltic Bard is well weighted on his best form but has shown very little of late and with this in mind, for the winner we return to Naunton Brook.
Keltic Bard 33-1 (10-9) Always behind, blundered 17th, 8th of 16, well behind State of Play (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Out The Black (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Prominent, lost place 9th, stayed on from 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Longshanks (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
Naunton Brook 10-1 (10-5) Led 4th, made rest, hung right and stayed on strongly flat, won at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov beating Kinburn (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kock de La Vesvre (FR) 13-2 (11-7) In touch, went 2nd approaching 4 out until 2 out, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Lou Du Moulin Mas (11-4) at Newbury 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Keepatem (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Always behind and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Twelve Paces (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Oct, 16 ran.
Galtee View (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-4) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 6th, reminder after 9th, struggling from 15th, 4th of 5, 26l behind Cowboyboots (11-5) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Mister Apple's (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, close 3rd when mistake 12th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Longshanks (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Dun An Doras (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up in touch, headway 8th, ridden after 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, hit last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
