jumped boldly, made all, clear 8th until given breather 12th, drew away again after 3 out, pushed along approaching last, reduced lead and ridden out towards finish but unchallenged
tracked leading pair, not fluent 4th, tracked (clear) winner 8th, blundered 11th, closed next, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, closed towards finish but never able to challenge
tracked (clear) winner until 8th, chased leading pair, not on terms when jumped slowly 10th, lost 3rd next, ridden and plugged on into modest 3rd again 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in
held up 4th, blundered badly 7th, given time to recover, went 3rd but not on terms 11th, no chance when weakened into 4th 2 out
Politologue was a very easy winner over a similar trip at Haydock and is open to further improvement. He looks the one to beat, even though the form may not be as strong as it first appeared. Rock The Kasbah beat a decent field at Chepstow in October but never threatened at Cheltenham subsequently and the first two in that race have both been well beaten since. CAPTAIN CHAOS was a useful novice hurdler last season and was sent to Enghien for a £20,000 race in March. He only found one too good and should be even better over fences. Royal Vacation got off the mark last time at Lingfield but steps up several grades for this.
Politologue (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, won at Haydock 2m 6f (2) sft in Nov beating Vintage Clouds (11-2) by 10l, 5 ran.
Rock The Kasbah (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, outpaced before 4 out, lost touch when ridden after next, well behind in 5th before last, rallied flat, stayed on strongly to take 3rd final strides, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 17l behind O O Seven (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Nov.
Royal Vacation (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, 2nd after 9th, led next, ridden and in command between last 2, kept on well, won at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Delgany Demon (11-11) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Captain Chaos (IRE) (10-7) 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Ozamo (11-2) at Enghien 2m 3f hvy in Mar.
