led until 3rd, led again 6th, not fluent and headed 10th, lost place 5 out
held up in touch, mistakes 3rd and 9th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
prominent, led 10th, headed 4 out, ridden to challenge next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 6th, led again 4 out, clear approaching 2nd last, ran on strongly, impressive (no time taken)
held up in touch, mistakes 1st and 10th, driven 4 out, never on terms
THE NIGHTINGALE can see Paul Nicholls land his fifth successive renewal of this race by beating Viking Rebel and Mount Oscar. The selection has had problems with his breathing but he seemed all the better for a summer operation when ridden all the way to the line at Fontwell. The second has been a little disappointing but is a fair yardstick and The Nightingale should be hard to beat. Viking Rebel has run a couple of sound races since returning from injury but looks to need to improve whilst Othermix has something to prove now. He was highly tried over hurdles last season and looked sure to make a winning chase debut when unseating but has disappointed twice since and needs to bounce back. Mount Oscar and Red Admiral both look up against it at the weights with the ground far from certain to suit the latter and it's hard to get away from The Nightingale.
Mount Oscar (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, blundered 8th, soon struggling, dropped to rear 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Poquelin (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grade 3 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Red Admiral (USA) 10-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, shaken up to go 3rd 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Punchestowns (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) gs in Nov.
Othermix (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Led until approaching 2nd, in touch, led 12th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 9, 32l behind Heathcliff (10-11) at Ludlow 3m beg chase (4) gd.
The Nightingale (FR) 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, drew clear from 2 out, ran on well, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chase (4) sft in Jan beating Chariot Charger (11-0) by 16l, 5 ran.
Viking Rebel (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Held up in touch, not fluent 5th, headway 8th, chased winner 4 out, mistake 2 out, no impression after, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Latanier (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov stks (3) gs.
