prominent, lost place after 8th, not fluent next, slow 10th, pulled up before 11th
prominent on outside, not fluent and lost place 4th, behind 11th, mistake 4 out
raced keenly, jumped well, made all, clear 4 out, easily
not always fluent in rear, behind 12th, mistake 4 out, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up
held up, headway when not fluent 9th, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
held up, closed 3rd, hit 11th, blundered next, lost 2nd after 2 out, weakened before last
prominent, not fluent 9th, went 2nd after 2 out until last, no chance with winner, one pace
NonRunner
Having already placed between the flags, Champagne Mystery makes his chasing debut having finished second three times over hurdles. Jockey bookings suggest he’s preferred to stablemate Follow The Bear even though the top weight jumped well and was only headed at the last on his chasing bow at Worcester. Canton Prince has been unlucky to twice come up against the progressive Potterman since winning at Cartmel in the summer but preference is for JOEUR BRESILIEN. Though the most exposed over fences, he relished the soft ground at Ffos Las last month and will strip fitter here, though is 10lb higher. None of the others can be ruled out if they take to fences.
Follow The Bear (IRE) 11-8 (10-12) Led or disputed lead, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 6, 7l behind The Hollow Ginge (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f (4) sft in Sep.
Trio For Rio (IRE) 10-11fav (11-8) Led 1st, made rest, clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly and kept up to work run-in, won at Wetherby 3m (4) gd in Apr beating Big Nasty (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Champagne Mystery (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Led, travelling strongly approaching 3 out, joined when hit last, headed run-in, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Theatre Legend (11-7) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Canton Prince (IRE) 6-4 (11-8) Held up, not fluent 3rd, hit 6th, challenged 3 out, led next, ridden and headed when blundered last, switched left flat, no extra, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Potterman (12-0) at Stratford 2m 3f (4) gd in Sep.
Present Value (IRE) Evensfav (11-9) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden in 3rd and beaten when mistake 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 11, 26l behind Danny Whizzbang (11-9) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) gs in Mar.
Joueur Bresilien (FR) 3-1 (12-0) Held up in touch, led 2 out, soon clear, ran on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Twasn't The Plan (11-13) by 12l, 6 ran.
Johnbb (IRE) 5-2fav (12-1) Chased leaders on inside, 3rd and one pace from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 15 1/2l behind Duarigle (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Paint The Dream 33-1 (11-0) Held up, always behind, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, 32 1/4l behind Thyme Hill (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gs in Oct.
