led, ridden after 4 out, joined 3 out, soon headed, no chance with winner soon after, tired run in, just held on for 2nd
held up in rear, hit 16th, soon struggling, behind when blunderd 19th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
chased leaders, hit 10th, lost place 13th, hit 14th, rallied to chase leaders 15th, stayed on same pace from 3 out
in touch, headway to chase leaders 13th, went 2nd 15th, challenge and upsized 3 out, soon led, drew well clear from next, stayed on strongly (no official time taken)
soon chased leader, until lost place 13th, pulled up before next
held up, ridden along and blundered 14th, headway to track leading pair 18th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, closed to press from 2nd run in but no chance with easy winner
close up went 3rd at 10th, went 2nd 13th, blundered next, and soon lost 2nd, weakened from 19th
Despite being 7lb higher than when winning this race 12 months ago Tana River is taken to back up that success with plenty in his favour, while Kock De La Vesvre is clearly a threat and there are others not out of it. Tana River relishes marathon trips and but in the ground and gets both here. With a nice pipe opener under his belt he should be spot on for this and can score. Kock De La Vesvre returns after a lengthy break and was the winner of a Uttoxeter marathon himself in July. However, he does tend to need a run or two to be at his peak so is just opposed. Eric's Charm has a decent shout if Oliver Sherwood can get him back to his best, while Bubble Boy looks a little too high in the weights and The Luder, who will act on the ground, may also be in the grip of the assessor. However, Tana River looks to have been laid out for this and can take the race again.
Tana River (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Disputed lead, headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Supreme Huntress (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Kock de La Vesvre (FR) 5-1jt-fav (10-9) In touch, went 2nd 20th, led 3 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 4m lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Jul beating Dead-Eyed Dick (10-3) by 6l, 11 ran.
Ballyfoy (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Not fluent, in touch, losing ground on leaders when mistake 7th, behind from 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Glasker Mill (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m Grad Ch (2) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Kilbeggan Blade 4-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, moved closer before 7th, chased winner approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 17, 2l behind Menelaus (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Bubble Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Made all, clear last, ridden out flat, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov beating Underwriter (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
The Luder (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Principe Azzurro (10-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Mcevoy (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Keen, led, jumped right 1st, headed 6th, ridden 4 out, close up when blundered 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 5l behind Ferimon (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Eric's Charm (FR) 33-1 (10-3) Led, headed 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Millenium Royal (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
