held up in 4th, mistake 2nd, outpaced before 4 out, rallied next, well held in 3rd when blundered 2 out
behind, outpaced and struggling 9th, tailed off when mistake 12th, pulled up after next
tracked leading pair, disputing 2nd from 4th until not fluent 8th, handy 3rd, led after 3 out, stayed on strongly from next
led and soon clear, reduced lead 10th, awkward 13th, jumped slowly 4 out, headed and weakened after 3 out, finished tired
jumped left at times, tracked clear leader, closer at 10th, 2nd after 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
NonRunner
Top-class hurdler RESERVE TANK didn’t look entirely happy when turned over by Jarveys Plate on his fencing bow at Chepstow but is likely to have had plenty of schooling since. But he won’t find it easy giving 7lb to the Nicholls’ mare If You Say Run, who jumped like an old hand when landing the odds at Worcester and was no slouch over hurdles herself. Solomon Grey won twice at Uttoxeter in May when switched to fences and Dan Skelton’s grey always seems to run his race, though is up against smart novices in this. The remaining trio probably have a lot to find to get involved in the finish.
Commanche Red (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led before 7th, ridden after 3 out, headed before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 5 1/2l behind Nube Negra (11-4) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Garo De Juilley (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, close up when hit 10th, not fluent next, effort to chase winner on long run before 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance before last, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Slate House (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) hvy in Oct.
Reserve Tank (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) Raced wide, tracked leader, not fluent 1st and 8th, jumped into lead 3 out, mistake and headed last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 4 1/2l behind Jarveys Plate (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f lst (1) sft in Oct.
Solomon Grey (FR) 8-11fav (11-6) Disputed lead until definite advantage 4th, shaken up and went clear 3 out, driven out flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gs in May beating Lungarno Palace (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
If You Say Run (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Tracked leader, slight stumbled 3 out, led going well next, clear when hung right run-in, won at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct beating Love Lane (10-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
Le Musee (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Never travelled in rear, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, reminders after 6th, tailed off when mistake 12th, pulled up before next, at Perth 3m hcp (2) gs in Sep.
