went left mistake and unseated rider 1st
took keen hold, chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders until dropped to 5th place after 5th (water), last and struggling 10th, tailed off
held up in last pair, not fluent 4th, steady headway 9th, challenged 4 out, upsides next, narrow lead 2 out, over 1 length ahead and going best when left well clear last
hampered 1st, tracked leading trio, went 2nd 3rd until after 5th (water), close 3rd, led 4 out, joined and pressed next, narrowly headed 2 out, over 1 length down and under pressure when fell last
chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th (water), lost 2nd 4 out, weakened before 2 out, no chance with leading duo, left poor 2nd last
in touch, went 4th at 5th (water), blundered badly 8th, mistake 10th, weakened soon after, not recover, tailed off
raced keenly, went right 1st, led, headed 4 out, weakened before next, left poor 4th last
held up in last pair, mistake 2nd, hit 4th, steady headway approaching 11th, ridden in 5th before 4 out, mistake and struggling 3 out, left poor 3rd last
Falcon Island won at Taunton last time and had clearly come on for his reappearance at Chepstow where he finished a long way behind EDUCATED EVANS. The latter scored readily on that occasion and an 11lb rise may not be enough to prevent Nigel Twiston-Davies charge following up. Be Definite also produced an improved effort when second at Chepstow earlier this month, while Silver Roque showed some promise on his first start over fences at Ludlow on his comeback. Prince Buster, Carabinier and Sollim all make their chasing debuts although the latter has a fitness advantage and makes most appeal of that trio.
Prince Buster (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway to lead 5th, headed 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace and lost 2nd last, no extra, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Lush Life (11-2) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb '10.
Falcon Island 7-4 (11-1) Made all, clear 2nd until after 5th, went left last, ridden out, won at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) gf beating Hes Our Lad (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Educated Evans (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway on inside after 7th, challenged 4 out, led before next, clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct beating Darenjan (11-5) by 6l, 12 ran.
Sollim (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway from 5 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, kept on and held last 150 yards, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Lamps (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Be Definite (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Close up, chased winner before 5 out until 4 out, regain 2nd after last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Renard (11-1) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy.
Carabinier (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Prominent, hit 4 out, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 9, 15l behind Geneva Geyser (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Arctic Ben (IRE) 11-8 (11-2) Held up in last, pulled hard and sometimes jumped left, headway to lead when not fluent 5th, hanging badly left and headed after 3 out, soon 4th and eased, got going again after last and nearly snatched 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Milgen Bay (11-2) at Towcester 2m mdn chs (5) gd.
Silver Roque (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, soon chased leading pair, chased winner before last, no impression, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Cucumber Run (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
