prominent early, chased leaders, lost place over 6f out, stayed on over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to take 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
took keen hold, tracked leaders, chased clear leader 6f out until 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway 4f out, led just over 1f out, ridden out
led, took keen hold, went clear from 11f out until ridden over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, one pace
took keen hold, mid-division, headway 6f out, chased clear leader 4f out until 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, hanging right from 6f out, weakened over 4f out
held up in rear, headway on outside 4f out, chased leader 3f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
chased leader until 6f out, ridden over 3f out, well held over 2f out
mid-division, ridden 11f out, soon lost place, well behind final 5f, tailed off
mid-division, headway on outside 6f out, pushed along 4f out, soon lost place, rallied over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 3rd post
Paul Nicholls has readily embraced the concept of this fixture and can gain another success via VERTIGE DORE. Placed three times in Ireland for Willie Mullins, the five-year-old has easily won his two bumpers in the UK and should have too much speed for most of these rivals. Sire De Grugy is the type to do better in time but Chain Of Command may have had his pace blunted by a spell of chasing. Marleno has been highly tried and is obviously well regarded though his overall form is nothing to shout about so far and Clairfonontaine hurdles winner As De Fer may need more time to acclimatise. Shrewd Investment had shown a little promise in bumpers earlier this year and will be better for his debut over timber at Exeter last month.
Alwaysonthemove 6-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, led 3out, headed next, weakening when jumped right last, no extra, 4th of 10, 24l behind Ardmaddy (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in May.
As De Fer (FR) (11-4) 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Speybridge (10-10) at Clairefontaine(FR) 2m 2f clm hdl gs in Jul.
Chain Of Command (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Raced in rear, in touch, jumped right throughout, smooth headway approachinbg 4 out, soon chasing leaders, effort 2 out, not pace to to challenge, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Potemkin (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Marleno (GER) 5-2fav (10-7) Tracked winner to before 3 out, regained 2nd after next, soon outpaced, lost place between last 2, well held 3rd when not fluent last, no extra, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Pret A Thou (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Prominent, took keen hold, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out, 5th of 8, 26l behind Now This Is It (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Shrewd Investment 9-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, left 4th 2 out, never on terms with leaders, 4th of 13, 23l behind Highland Valley (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Keen hold, chased leaders, bumped 2nd, chased leading pair after 3 out, chased winner and almost upsides 2 out, no impression soon after, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 17, 9l behind Bobs Worth (10-12) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov.
Snow Patrol 14-1 (10-9) Held up, struggling 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Killfinnan Castle (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Solar Express 200-1 (10-11) In touch until 3rd, well behind approaching 6th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Born Again (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb.
Vertige Dore (FR) 7-4 (10-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4 out, switched outside to challenge when wandered and ran green approaching 2 out, led before last, stayed on well to go clear flat, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating Cass Bligh (11-5) by 7l, 4 ran.
