tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd approaching 4 out, under pressure next, kept on same pace approaching last, never a threat
prominent, led 7th, driven 3 out, clear next, ran on strongly, eased close home
led until 7th, pushed along 5 out, weakened before next
in touch, in 4th, weakened before 4 out, modest 4th
Dodging Bullets has had a splint injury since ending last season with victory in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham but Paul Nicholls believes the eight-year-old is his best chance of success at next month's Festival and he wouldn't be running here if he wasn't ready. However, at the likely odds, he may be worth taking on with the fast-improving novice L'AMI SERGE. A very classy hurdler, he's taken well to fences and beat a previous winner on the bridle at Wetherby last time. There is untapped potential and, in receipt of 8lb from the favourite, he is a sporting selection. The Henderson team also run Captain Conan, who will have benefited from a recent run over hurdles, while Kerry Lee expects Top Gamble, who has run well on both previous starts here, to give a good account on ground that suits.
Dodging Bullets 9-2 (11-10) Prominent in chasing group, went 2nd from 3rd, challenged 3 out, led when not fluent next, ridden and edged slightly right when pressed before last and flat, stayed on well, in command final 75 yards, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar beating Somersby (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Top Gamble (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden approaching last, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Village Vic (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Captain Conan (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear and in touch, headway 4 out, soon pushed along, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 24 3/4l behind The New One (11-12) at Haydock 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Un Beau Roman (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division on inside, blundered 7th, driven to chase clear leaders before 2 out (usual 3 out), soon weakened, pulled up before last (usual 2 out), at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) 1-6fav (11-7) Made all, clear and going very well before 3 out, easily, won at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Run Ructions Run (11-0) by 6l, 4 ran.
