chased leaders, pushed along after 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd between last 2, one pace and no impression on leading pair when hit last
led, pushed along when jinked left and headed approaching 2 out, mistake and weakened 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd and next, weakened quickly before 2 out, tailed off
held up in last trio, headway to chase leaders 4th, pushed along approaching 2 out, weakened soon after 2 out
pressed leader, led approaching 2 out, headed soon after 2 out, weakened between last 2
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place on long run to 3rd, behind and struggling 5th, tailing off when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3rd, challenged and mistake 2 out, chased leader, hard driven from last, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won going away
held up in last pair, smooth headway to track leaders approaching 2 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, looked in command last, no extra under pressure and headed final 100 yards
Vibrato Valtat is the pick of those with hurdling experience in this. His comeback fifth at Cheltenham was a perfectly respectable effort, though he again gave the impression he's better suited by further and he was beaten by Comte D'Anjou in a bumper at Exeter a year ago. Vaniteux represents powerful connections but the ex-pointer could also find this trip on the sharp side. Money For Nothing can improve on his fourth at Wincanton while Rhapando brings decent bumper form to the table. But so does CHAMPAGNE AT TARA, who is bred to be a jumper and can make a winning start over timber.
Area Access (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, ridden 5th, never on terms, 12th of 15, well behind Howaboutnow (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Champagne At Tara 9-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 4f out, went 4th and ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace and no impression on leaders final furlong, 4th of 13, 6l behind Red Sherlock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m Listed NH flat (1) gd in Nov.
Comte D'anjou 14-1 (11-7) Took keen hold in mid-division, kept on same pace final 2f, 7th of 15, 20l behind Oscarteea (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (5) gd in Oct.
Money For Nothing 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, one pace next, no impression in 4th before last, 4th of 11, 12l behind Amore Alato (10-12) at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs in Nov.
Morning Reggie 25-1 (11-4) Behind, driven over 4f out, stayed on to chase leaders final 2f, never nearer, 5th of 14, 21l behind Zulu Oscar (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Rhapando 16-1 (11-0) Chased winner throughout, pushed along 3f out, no chance final 2f, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Pleasant Company (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gs in Nov.
Sweet Boy Vic (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, tailed off, 8th of 10, 37l behind Regal Encore (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Vaniteux (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Chsd ldrs, slow jmp 6th, rddn to hold 4th 4out, no ex aftr 3out, ko, 4th of 12, 17l behind Sucker Punch (11-7) at Lisronagh 3m ire ptp sft in Mar.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, steady headway 3 out, chased leaders on inside after next, every chance approaching last, soon ridden and one pace, no impression flat, 5th of 19, 12l behind Quick Jack (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Nov.
