held up in rear, headway 11th, tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakening when fell next
made most until headed 4th, tracked leaders, ridden 14th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
close up, lost place 11th, rallied 4 out, chased leading pair 3 out, no impression
raced wide, prominent, led 4th, headed 10th, tracked leader until ridden 3 out, soon weakened
jumped left at times, prominent, led 10th, 3 lengths clear 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on
keen, raced wide in touch, headway 10th, chased clear leader 3 out, led approaching last, ran on strongly
in rear, ridden 4 out, effort next, no impression after
Coneygree won this last year and went on to glory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but this renewal seems to lack a bit of the usual star quality. Tea For Two bids to give Lizzie Kelly her biggest win to date and has won twice around here over hurdles. He made an impressive start over fences at Exeter but 3m has stretched his stamina in the past. NATIVE RIVER (NAP) also won at Exeter last month and went on to outstay the well-regarded Un Temps Pour Tout in a Grade 2 at Newbury. That looks smart form and Colin Tizzard's stayer can complete the hat-trick ahead of the progressive Southfield Royale and As De Mee, who should enjoy the step up in distance. Bally Beaufort is a stout stayer but the mare L'unique and Net D'ecosse still have something to learn about jumping fences.
As De Mee (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, slightly hampered 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, soon driven and one pace, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Ar Mad (11-2) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Bally Beaufort (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Led until after 1st, prominent, outpaced 11th, rallied approaching 3 out, challenging when left in lead next, clear last, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Great Link (10-13) by 8l, 6 ran.
Native River (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, pecked 1st, headway 11th, went 2nd 5 out, closed 3 out, led before last, stayed on, won at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gs in Nov beating Un Temps Pour Tout (11-2) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Net D'Ecosse (FR) 2-1 (11-12) Slight mistake 1st, chased leaders, improved to challenge from before straight, soon led, not fluent last and quickly headed, stayed on well to regain lead near line, won at Punchestown 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Peoples Park (11-12) by ns, 10 ran.
Southfield Royale 2-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead before 2 out, clear before last, won at Doncaster 3m (1) hvy in Dec beating Coologue (11-5) by 13l, 6 ran.
Tea For Two 2-1 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well 4 out, led on bit before 2 out, soon quickened right away, impressive, won at Exeter 2m 3f (2) hvy in Dec beating Oscar Sunset (11-0) by 10l, 7 ran.
L'unique (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, lost place 10th, jumped slowly and outpaced 5 out, stayed on from 3 out, went 3rd before last, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 7, 11 1/2l behind Three Musketeers (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
