tracked leaders, left in 2nd at 12th, led 4 out, headed approaching next, led again 2 out, stayed on well
chased leaders, under pressure 10th, left in 3rd at 12th, led approaching 3 out, blundered next, soon headed and weakened
led until blundered and unseated rider 12th
prominent, left in lead at 12th, headed 4 out, soon outpaced, headway before 2 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
Von Galen is easily dismissed and Phoenix Des Mottes is out of sorts at present. Mickeytaker is the highest rated of these over timber, though he's yet to win and may do better now tackling the larger obstacles for the first time, but GERRARD makes more appeal. He's 7lb higher than when landing this race last season, but this year's renewal looks less competitive and Sam Twiston-Davies has won on him before.
Mickytaker (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, under pressure 4f out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Sapphire Rouge (10-13) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun, 13 ran.
Gerrard (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, reminders before 8th, well behind when jumped slow 10th, 11th and 12th, jumped 13th and 14th literally at a standstill, pulled up, in a race won by Ethiopia (11-3) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May, 10 ran.
Phoenix Des Mottes (FR) 33-1 (9-7) Chased leadrs until lost place after 5th, progress again to chase leaders approaching 9th, weakened after 5 out, 6th of 11, 35l behind Wide Receiver (10-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Von Galen (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, challenged 11th until ridden next, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 6, 33l behind Marked Man (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) fm in Oct.
