led, hit 2nd, headed 9th, hit 10th, led after 11th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, kept up well when challenged, ridden out
in touch, reminds after 9th, weakened 13th
always last, struggling when mistake dwelt, soon weakened
held up, headway after 11th, challenged approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, kept on, always being held
in touch, blundered 3rd, weakened 13th
tracked leader, led 9th until after 11th, prominent, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
GWANAKO needs to prove that his confidence is intact after a bad blunder in the Grand Sefton but if it is he may have too much for My Petra. Over a similar trip today, Paul Nicholls' young chaser was one of the first horses to tumble in the protracted Sam Thomas molehill. Having previously won a competitive renewal of the Topham in April, there is no doubt that the five-year-old is still progressing and seemingly effective on any ground, a big run should be forthcoming. Pur De Sivola has ability but after a promising reappearance behind Briareus at Kempton, he then regressed with a poor run at Newbury when pulled up; he has a little top prove despite now racing over his optimum trip. My Petra looks the main danger, and at these weights there isn't a lot between her and Gwanako, indeed she comes out slightly ahead. Her win last time at Ascot was facile and she is certainly going the right way. Penzance has a temperamental and has not been at his best for a while, Miss Mitch and Cossack Dancer have a bit to find at the weights, whilst Eluvaparty is just making up the numbers. Interesting, with the vote going to Gwanako.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Led, not fluent 4th, blundered 5th, soon headed, chased leader to 10th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Ouzbeck (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct, 17 ran.
Gwanako (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Held up, in rear when unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Endless Power (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Pur De Sivola (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Classic Fiddle (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Eluvaparty 13-2 (11-1) Raced wide, tracked leaders, hit 8th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, 44l behind Nemetan (10-13) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
My Petra 7-4fav (10-4) Tracked leaders, always going well, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov beating Oceanos des Obeaux (10-4) by 6l, 6 ran.
Penzance 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, reminders 5th, hit 7th, struggling when mistake 10th and 11th, remained in touch until weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 22l behind Laskari (10-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Miss Mitch (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Mid-division, hit 2nd, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 24l behind Amber Brook (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
