led, mistake 4th, headed 11th, led again soon after 4 out, headed approaching next, beaten when blundered badly 2 out, not recover
tracked leaders, pressed leaders from 12th, led 3 out, stumbled badly on landing and unseated rider next
keen, close up, in rear, headway to tracked leaders 4 out, every chance when left clear 2 out, stayed on
tracked leaders, dropped to rear 12th, slightly outpaced 4 out, ridden and headway 2 out, driven and stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
disputed lead until led 11th, headed soon after 4 out, ridden when left 2nd 2 out until towards finish
Chanceofa Lifetime has plenty to prove at present but the remaining quartet all have a chance of sorts. Bar De Ligne and Violets Boy are both previous course winners and the latter made a promising return following injury at Southwell - he should go well if that hasn't taken too much out of him. Mr Burgees has a penalty for last week's success at Uttoxeter but won a shade cosily and a quick follow-up would not be a shock. But TJONGEJONGE (NAP) ran several times over fences in France before being picked up by Charlie Longsdon. He was confined to hurdles last season while he acclimatised but should now be ready to open his account for new connections.
Mr Burgees (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 5 out, clear before 4 out, kept on strongly, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Tanit River (11-9) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Violets Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 7th until after 4 out, chased leader, led again 3 out, ridden before next, headed last, driven and one pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Theatre Mill (11-6) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Tjongejonge (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway on outer before 3 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 12, 13 3/4l behind Alzammaar (11-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Bar De Ligne (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Disputed lead until led approaching 4th, headed 8th, led again next, not fluent 4 out, headed approaching and mistake 3 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 6, 30 1/2l behind By The Boardwalk (11-8) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Chanceofa Lifetime (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before last, at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
