held up in rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, beaten approaching next
chased leader and not fluent, ridden 8th, weakened 4 out, soon pulled up
led, ridden and blundered 2 out, headed approaching next, not fluent, kept on
chased leaders, went 2nd at the 8th, ridden and blundered 3 out, led approaching last, kept on
held up in touch and keen, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened
Urban gets the confident vote here with Tycoon Hall and Craven rating the main dangers. The selection was a good second behind Kings Brook last time out, that form looks solid and off the same mark under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Tycoon Hall rates the main danger on his latest second behind Papini. He will appreciate this longer trip but he is hard to win with and he is taken on with this in mind. Craven has the ability to go close off this mark but he often finds less than expected off the bridle. The Dark Lord could go well if his jumping holds up but that is a big if and for the winner we return to Urban.
Craven (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up, stumbled badly 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, 3rd of 10, 13l behind The Hollow Bottom (9-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Urban (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4th, challenged before 7th, led 9th, driven after 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Kings Brook (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
The Dark Lord (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off 4 out, 8th of 12, 27l behind Oniz Tiptoes (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Aleron (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up, headway approaching 5 out, mistake last, kept on, 5th of 10, 16l behind The Hollow Bottom (9-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Tycoon Hall (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) In touch, left 3rd 7th, blundered next, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd and blundered last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Papini (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gf.
