never far away, jumped left 11th, outpaced 3 out, rallied into 4th after 2 out, stayed on into 2nd at the last, kept on flat
held up, steady headway 10th, chased leading pair 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, driven and no impression between last two, lost 2nd at the last, no extra in 4th run-in
held up, making headway when hit 14th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened before 2 out
sometimes jumped left, always front rank, led 8th until next, led 3 out, clear before last, driven out
held up, closer order 10th, chased leaders 15th, driven and went 3rd run-in, kept on
chased leaders, reminders before 15th, soon weakened, behind and pulled up before 2 out
led until mistake and headed 8th, remained prominent, led again 16th until ridden 3 out, chased winner until before 2 out, weakened 2 out
chased leader, led 9th until headed 16th, mistake and weakened 4 out, tailed off
never travelled towards rear, mistakes 2nd and 7th, struggling in rear before 15th, tailed off
Houblon Des Obeaux won this last year off a 7lb lower mark and ran a cracker on his reappearance in the Hennessy three weeks ago. He has to go on the short-list again while it was through no fault of his own that The Young Master got demoted after landing a Listed chase at Wincanton last month. He's been first past the post in nine of his last 11 starts in all races but has shot up the weights. Sound Investment is unproven over 3m while stablemate Polisky is a bit of an enigma and, like recent course and distance fourth Ardkilly Witness, will be carrying more than his allotted weight in this. Le Reve and Via Sundown won on their respective reappearances at Sandown and Exeter but both were pulled up in the Hennessy. HEY BIG SPENDER wound back the clock to win a third Rehearsal Chase in four years at Newcastle last month. The veteran has been put up 11lb for that but has won off this mark in the past and might be worth following in his current mood.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 50-1 (11-12) In touch, headway on outside, chasing leaders approaching 12th, went 2nd 13th, led 16th, driven and headed last, soon dropped to 3rd, rallied into well held 2nd again final 100 yards, 2nd of 19, 3 1/2l behind Many Clouds (11-6) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 9th, led 5 out, driven clear from next, ridden before last, tired when eased flat, comfortably, won at Newcastle 3m listed hcp chs (1) sft in Nov beating Lie Forrit (10-13) by 7l, 9 ran.
Sound Investment (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along before 4 out, soon ridden, chased leading pair 2 out, stayed on into 2nd at the last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind No Buts (10-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Le Reve (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until hit 13th, went 2nd again 16th until approaching next, chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, behind and pulled up before next, in a race won by Many Clouds (11-6) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov, 19 ran.
Up To Something (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Prominent until fell 13th (valentines), in a race won by Poole Master (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs, 16 ran.
Via Sundown (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, struggling in last pair when blundered 17th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Many Clouds (11-6) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov, 19 ran.
Ardkilly Witness (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Chased leaders on inside, mistakes 7th and 12th, 2nd 15th until 4 out, driven and lost 3rd before 2 out, one pace in 4th when went right last, 4th of 11, 4l behind Grandads Horse (11-12) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Polisky (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leading pair on inside, led going well after 3 out, left clear last, hung badly left and idled final 100 yards, caught last stride, 2nd of 6, shd behind Big Hands Harry (11-3) at Ascot 3m nov hcap ch (3) sft in Nov.
