held up, hit 1st and 6th, weakened 10th
behind until blundered and fell 9th
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up approaching 2 out
held up in rear, some headway approaching 3 out, no impression when mistake next
chased leaders, reminders after 8th, went 2nd 11th, no chance with winner from 2 out, lost moderate 2nd at last
led, until mistake, headed and hampered 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up approaching 2 out
chased leader to 7th, soon behind, mistake 10th and next, held off when pulled up approaching 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 4 out, steadily forged clear, unchallenged after
held up in touch, headway 8th, challenging when mistake 4 out, staying on at one pace and no chance with winner when mistake 2 out, went moderate 2nd at last
jumped right throughout and raced wide, took keen hold and held up in rear, mistake 10th, stayed on steadily from 3 out, kept on flat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The shortlist for this chase contains Lunar Crystal, Arumun and Allumee, with the selection being Allumee. Fairly weighted on the best of his decent hurdling form, Lunar Crystal looked at least as good when seen over fences last season and cannot be ruled out, even off topweight. Arumun looked good when scoring on his chasing debut, although he has been raised 12 pounds as a consequence. Even so, a good run is not ruled out. Lightly raced over fences, Allumee's Fontwell second suggested that he can be competitive at this level, while Cherub remains well handicapped based on his best hurdling form. The lightly-raced Black Hills could be on a reasonable mark for his handicap debut, while Barton Legend showed enough on his chasing debut to suggest that there is better to come. Salhood's rating looks reasonable enough, Opera Mundi has to be respected from the Paul Nicholls yard, as has Philip Hobbs' Petitjean, although he got the rub of the green when winning at Wincanton last time, and Talikos is another that is open to improvement. Overall, though, we will stick with Allumee.
Lunar Crystal (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased winner, reminders approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next, 7th of 12, 23l behind Papini (11-6) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Arumun (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) In touch, chased leader from 9th, left in lead 2 out, soon clear, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct beating Shannon's Pride (10-9) by 3l, 7 ran.
Allumee 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, challenging when blundered 3 out, staying on when not clear run final 75 yards, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 8, hd behind Bishop's Bridge (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Cherub (GER) 10-1 (11-6) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Tora Bora (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
Black Hills 5-4 (11-5) Held up, headway to chase winner after 8th, weakened 2 out, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Pablo Du Charmil (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gf.
Sunley Shines 14-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed last, one pace flat, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Tech Eagle (11-7) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Barton Legend 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, blundered 10th, every chance 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 10, 5l behind Supreme Tadgh (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Oct.
Opera Mundi (FR) 20-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place 3rd, behind when badly hampered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Shamayoun (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Petitjean 7-2 (10-7) Held up in mid-division, blundered 10th, headway 13th, led approaching 4 out, left clear 3 out, blundered 2 out, eased flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd beating Free Gift (11-9) by 14l, 6 ran.
Talikos (FR) 7-2 (11-6) Behind, headway 9th, ridden and every chance approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind What'sonyourmind (10-2) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Idris (GER) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked winner, challenged 3 out, every chance when blundered 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Priors Dale (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gd.
Gaelic Flight (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Led, headed 2nd, led again 4th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Cool Roxy (11-1) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gd.
Salhood 10-1 (11-0) Chased winner to 3rd, close up until outpaced 8th, went poor 3rd next, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Sporazene (11-0) at Kempton 2m chs (3) gd.
