chased leading pair until lost place approaching 3rd, tried to rally before 3 out, weakened soon after 3 out
held up in rear, headway to 4th 4 out, went 3rd travelling well before mistake and stumbled 2 out, recovered and switched right before last, challenged last, led and edged left flat, ridden out
led, hit 4 out, driven before pressed 2 out, headed between last 2, weakened last
chased leading trio, went 3rd 8th, challenged 2 out, led between last 2, ridden and strongly pressed last, headed flat and soon switched right, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home
chased leader until 4th, chased leading pair until pushed along 8th, struggling after 4 out, plugged on again to modest 4th flat
in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 3rd, went 2nd next, hit 3 out, challenged next, every chance last, not pace of winner flat, went 2nd close home
After his two novice chase victories in the spring, DOMTALINE has returned with two fine runs against useful opponents at Cheltenham and Haydock. Beaten a short-head by the 147-rated Carlito Brigante in the first of those runs when conceding 3lb, connections can't complain with a handicap mark of 139 and he should take this. William's Wishes has won his last four races spreading over two years and was an impressive winner on his return to action at Ascot. The assessor has raised him 9lb but it will be a surprise if he's not in the mix. Falcon Island hasn't been doing much wrong though he's 10lb higher than his last winning mark while the consistent King Edmund may just be a few pounds high.
Idarah (USA) 33-1 (11-4) Prominent, lost place before 2nd, pushed along 4th, ridden and struggling 6th, well beaten from 8th, last of 5, 34l behind Sanctuaire (11-10) at Kempton 2m Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
William's Wishes (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Held up in last pair, close up 7th, smooth headway to track leader 2 out (usual 3 out), led going well before last when jumped left, kept on, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) hvy in Nov beating Champion Court (11-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
King Edmund 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, not fluent 6th, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Marodima (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Oct.
Domtaline (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, still every chance at last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Kumbeshwar (11-7) at Haydock 2m grad ch (2) sft in Nov.
Falcon Island 8-1 (11-12) Chased leader until approaching 4 out, chased leaders, went 3rd before 3 out,no extra before 2 out, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Ulck Du Lin (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Dec.
Nozic (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Held up, left close 3rd at 2nd, challenged 5th, went 2nd approaching 4 out, every chance 2 out, chased winner soon after, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Ulck Du Lin (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Dec.
