tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, soon clear
in touch, outpaced halfway, never dangerous
led, headed approaching 2 out, driven and one pace flat
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon driven and no impression
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last
in rear, lost place 5th, soon tailed off
Withdrawn
Degas Art showed a decent level of form over hurdles two seasons ago and still retains some ability but Howard Johnson's gelding has looked far from being a natural over fences and a better bet looks to be AURORAS ENCORE, who gets the verdict ahead of Stumped. Henry Daly's gelding was highly tried in his first two starts over fences and may do better in this company but he was disappointing in a similar contest last time and may have to settle for minor honours. Soubriquet has run creditably in his two starts over the larger obstacles and he has similar claims to Daly's runner. Breakwater House represents the in-form Lucinda Russell but needs to improve on all known form to trouble Auroras Encore, who is hard to oppose. Sue Smith has her team in flying form at present and the seven-year-old should appreciate the return to this sort of company having been outclassed in the Jewson last time at the festival.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Chased leaders until weakened 4 out, 11th of 20, 39l behind Chapoturgeon (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (1) gs.
Degas Art (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up, in touch when unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Camden George (10-12) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (2) sft in Feb, 5 ran.
Panthers Run 22-1 (11-0) Towards rear, some headway 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, 9th of 17, well behind Jane Doe (10-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Soubriquet (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) In touch, chased clear and easy winner approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, lost 2nd after last, 3rd of 4, 24l behind Sa Suffit (10-13) at Hexham 2m nov chs (3) sft.
Stumped 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened 4 out, left moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 4, 36l behind Super Formen (10-13) at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Almond Court (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Raced wide towards rear, struggling 7th, weakeneing when blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Oh Yah Dancer (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd, 16 ran.
Breakwater House (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 9, 27l behind Agglestone Rock (10-7) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
