led to 3rd, tracked leader, led again 12th to 4 out, disputing 5th and weakening when fell 3 out
held up and mistakes, ridden after 4 out, kept on to take moderate 3rd last, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, led 4 out, clear last, ridden out
held up, mistake 11th, ridden and headway after 4th, every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out
led 3rd to 12th, weakened after 14th
Ca Na Trona, Kilbeggan Blade and Just For Men are shortlisted and Ca Na Trona is the selection. Ca Na Trona shaped well in novice hurdles two years ago and signed off with a good win. His race fitness has to be taken on trust, but he appears to have more ability than his opponents here. Just For Man has shown some form in his starts to date but seems to tire in the closing stages. He is one of Paul Nicholls' lesser lights but is taken on here. Kilbeggan Lad won a Beginners Chase at Worcester this year but he has failed to follow up since. Ca Na Trona is the selection.
Denada 16-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, weakened 9th, 7th of 15, 34l behind Umbrella Man (11-2) at Stratford 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Ferimon 11-1 (11-0) In touch, mistake 7th, weakened 13th, 9th of 12, well behind Heltornic (10-7) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (3) gs in Oct.
Kiftsgate 5-1jt-fav (11-10) Held up, headway 10th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 31l behind Frosty Jak (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Oct.
Kilbeggan Blade 6-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden 12th, headway 14th, weakened after 15th, 4th of 7, well behind Sungates (11-8) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Little Villain (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Mid-division, hit 2nd, lost place 5th, stayed on from 2 out, took 2nd flat, 2nd of 9, 24l behind Herecomestanley (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Oct.
Ca Na Trona (IRE) 9-4 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, rallied and led 2 out, ran on well flat, won at Taunton 3m nov hdl (D) gd in Nov '04 beating Lou Du Moulin Mas (10-4) by 2l, 7 ran.
Just For Men (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) In touch, tracked leader from 8th, led briefly 5 out, weakened next, very tired when refused 2 out in race won by Frosty Jak (11-7) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs, 8 ran.
On Les Aura (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 6th, 2nd and going well when badly hampered 3 out, unable to recover but stayed on, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Yardbird (11-7) at Exeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gf in Apr '04.
