held up, not fluent 4th, ridden next, refused 7th
led, ridden 7th, headed, weakened 4 out
held up, hampered, mistake 2nd, rider lost iron, weakened 3 out
tracked leader, led 4 out, left clear 2 out
in rear, pulled up after 2nd
in touch, reminders 6th, outpaced next, stayed on from 3 out, left 2nd last
Brave Villa can take this race after running very well in his two previous starts, with Jim Lad and Surfboard looking like the main dangers. The selection's bold style of front-running should stretch these inexperienced chasers, and he was very unfortunate to run into a good sort of Alan King's when last seen out at Bangor a fortnight ago. He was collared on the line that day after looking like the winner and shouldn't find any of these opponents to be such a threat. Jim Lad was in the process of running a good race when brought down on his seasonal reappearance and he could represent a threat to the selection, whilst Paul Blockley's Surfboard has won at this track before although he may need further than this bare two miles to get his head in front. He didn't jump too fluently last time over course and distance, although that was his chasing debut and so he could well improve today. Major Blade makes his chasing debut today although he was no great shakes over hurdles so it would be a surprise if he proved good enough to trouble the selection who can finally notch his chasing win at the seventh attempt.
Buffers Lane (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up, not fluent 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Notanotherdonkey (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct, 15 ran.
Surfboard (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Keen in rear, hit 3rd and 7th, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 9l behind Terrible Tenant (11-9) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Major Blade (GER) 9-2 (11-0) Prominent, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 32l behind She's Our Daisy (9-13) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) frm in Oct.
Brave Villa (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Led, clear when hit 2 out, no extra when headed near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
West Hill (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division, mistake 5th, soon outpaced, 7th of 12, 21l behind Tin Healy's Pass (10-5) at Hexham 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Jim Lad 7-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden and held when brought down 2 out in race won by Jam Packed (10-9) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
New Wave 100-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, struggling after 4 out, 12th of 17, well behind Bleak House (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
