led to 4th, tracked leading pair from next, outpaced 4 out, left 2nd and sole rival approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
in rear, 5th and outpaced 13th, kept on same pace, disputed well beaten 4th when fell 3 out
tended to jump left early, held up in 5th, dropped to rear when not fluent 9th, no danger after, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in 4th, jumped left 4th, outpaced by leading trio 12th, hard pressed for well beaten 4th when fell 3 out
with leader, led 4th, hit 7th, headed when hit next, chased winner, outpaced approaching 3 out, 2nd and well held when lost action and pulled up quickly before next
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5th, led 8th, made rest, stumbled 4 out, drew clear approaching next, easily
Recent Stratford chase winner Petito looks up against it at this level, but Handy Andy and Jet Nova had both shown ability before being well beaten in a Grade 1 hurdle at Aintree in April. They make their chasing debuts here along with Baile Anrai and Kilcrea Kim with the latter expected to come out best if taking to fences as he won a Grade 3 hurdle at Sandown in February. Mad Moose is the most experienced chaser having won two of his five starts and he has every chance after finishing a creditable third at Cheltenham last month, but the vote goes to SILVINIACO CONTI. The best of these over hurdles, he made a promising start to chasing when third to Cue Card at Chepstow recently and can add to Paul Nicholls' excellent recent record in this race.
Mad Moose (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Ridden leaving start and slowly away, in rear, headway after 11th, hit next, challenging when not much room after 3 out, led before next, mistake last, soon headed, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Traffic Article (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gf in Oct.
Baile Anrai (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, soon chasing leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Fingal Bay (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Oct.
Handy Andy (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 7th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Saint Are (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr, 19 ran.
Jetnova (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 7th, went 3rd briefly approaching 3 out, weakened last, 7th of 19, 28l behind Saint Are (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Kilcrea Kim (IRE) 6-1fav (11-3) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, ridden and blundered 2 out, weakened last, 8th of 20, 29l behind Battle Group (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 11-8 (11-4) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 2 out and driven, no chance with winner, dropped to 3rd flat, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Cue Card (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Petito (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 2nd, not fluent 5th, hampered 7th, went 2nd when hit 3 out, led approaching last where not fluent, driven out, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct beating Daneva (11-11) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
