tracked leaders, briefly outpaced 9th, headway to lead 11th, headed 13th, driven along 5 out, every chance from 3 out, stayed on to lead flat, driven out
led, headed after 9th, remained with leaders, led again 14th, ridden and headed 3 out, every chance until approaching last, weakened flat
in touch, led soon after 9th, headed 11th, ridden along 13th, driven 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, led 13th, headed next, tracked leader after, led again narrowly 3 out, soon driven along, headed flat and kept on same pace
held up, mistake 10th, ridden 13th, driven 3 out, weakened approaching last
PIPO DE RE and Nicto De Beauchene are the two that appeal most in this line-up although Wychwoods Legend is no back number. Preference is for Pipo De Re who has yet to fulfil his promise over fences but he resumed from where he left off at Newbury with a decent run in a better race than this and shouldn't be long in getting off the mark. The fact that he has yet to win does raise a slight doubt for a horse that will be short enough in the market but he hasn't had many chances and should be able to set the record straight. Nicto De Beauchene will relish the testing conditions and ran as well as can have been expected behind Le Beau Bai who is now being touted for the Welsh National. He's run well over course and distance and should be spot on with two runs this season under his belt. Wychwoods Legend pinched a bit of black type over hurdles at Kempton last time but she has already made her mark over fences having scored on her penultimate start and chase debut. However, she lines up from a mark that's 8lbs higher than her hurdles rating so will need to continue to progress if she's to get the better of some more experienced chasers. Ballyfoy was entitled to need his run at Ascot and isn't dismissed but Pass Me A Dime and Plum Pudding have something to prove as we look to Pipo De Re to take the honours.
Ballyfoy (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) In rear, mistake 2nd, slow 5th, headway 14th, weakened 4 out, behind when blundered 3 out, 8th of 11, 39l behind Any Currency (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Nicto De Beauchene (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Led approaching 2nd, headed next, led after 5th until 6th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 14, 36l behind Le Beau Bai (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy.
Pass Me A Dime 25-1 (10-6) In rear, mistake 2nd, blundered badly next, well behind after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Le Beau Bai (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy, 14 ran.
Pipo De Re (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Mid-division, pushed along at 12th, headway 3 out, kept on into 3rd approaching last but no impression on front pair, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Plum Pudding (FR) 13-2 (10-11) Held up in last trio, driven along 16th, left modest 3rd next, ridden and struggling 4 out, 5th and well beaten when blundered last, 5th of 9, 28l behind Tarquinius (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Wychwoods Legend 9-1 (10-12) Led, not fluent 7th, headed 2 out, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Whiteoak (10-12) at Kempton 3m mrs lst hdl (1) gs in Nov.
