took keen hold early, headway to chase leader 3rd to 6th, driven after 7th, not fluent 9th, 3rd and no impression on leading pair when blundered 5 out, lost 3rd run-in
held up but in touch, mistake 8th, ridden 11th, soon struggling, when moderate 3rd run-in
tracked leader to 3rd, regained 2nd 6th, took narrow lead going well 3 out, pushed clear run-in
led, hit 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, still upsides 2 out, one pace approaching last
held up but in touch, ridden and weakened after 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Copsale Lad impressed with his jumping at Lingfield and can pay to follow again, with Albuhera and Without A Doubt two worthy rivals. Copsale Lad has always shown plenty of ability at home but was frustrating to follow last term, throwing away opportunities at both Cheltenham and Aintree with costly blunders. They have worked on him a lot in the interim and it really showed at Lingfield as he jumped like a stag and galloped his rivals into submission. Although he should stay three miles, the decision to keep him over two and a half for the time being should reap dividends again today. He can capture a notable scalp in the shape of Albuhera who was rated higher than him over hurdles, and who lost nothing in defeat in grade 2 company at Cheltenham when third to Accordion Etoile. The extra half mile takes him into unknown territory though and his stamina will have to be taken on trust. Without A Doubt appeared to stay over hurdles and therefore Mark Pitman's Sandown beginners' chase winner should have no problem today. He makes more appeal than Whispered Secret who has a penalty to worry about, but our confident fancy is Copsale Lad who can give Nicky Henderson a third success in this event in the last seven years.
Whispered Secret (GER) 12-1 (11-12) Mistake 1st, held up mid-division, headway 12th, chased leader from 2 out, upsides last, driven ahead flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Oct beating Halexy (11-0) by a hd, 10 ran.
Without A Doubt 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, going well to lead 2 out, joined last, driven and held on under pressure flat, won at Sandown 2m beg chs (D) gs beating Lustral Du Seuil (11-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Albuhera (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up, headway to track leaders 7th, ridden 3 out, hit 2 out, soon held, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Accordion Etoile (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs.
Copsale Lad 10-3 (11-7) Jumped well, led after 3rd, stayed on strongly from 3 out, clear before last, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Oct beating Back Nine (11-7) by 13l, 13 ran.
Royal Hector (GER) 5-1 (11-5) Held up, smooth headway to track leaders after 7th, led 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) gs beating Ballez (10-7) by 5l, 9 ran.
Knowhere (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 5th, ridden approaching last, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Oct '04 beating Ladalko (11-0) by a nk, 6 ran.
Montgermont (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Chased leader, mistake 3rd, hit 9th, led 3 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden and headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Spirit of New York (11-0) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (D) sft in Oct.
