chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next
in touch until ridden and dropped to rear 7th, tailed off
held up in touch, steady headway to dispute 2nd 3 out, stumbled next, weakened before last
always behind, mistake 5th, soon stuggling, tailed off
set good pace, ridden between last 2, headed last, no extra flat
held up, headway approaching 3 out, jumped left and weakened next, beaten when mistake last
held up, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, not reached leaders
chased clear leader, closed 2 out, led last, headed and no extra flat
chased leaders, mistake 7th, weakened 4 out
patiently ridden, outpaced and driven along 4 out, closed strongly on leaders between last 2, led flat, stayed on well
Armaturk can defy topweight at the expense of Made In Japan, Bambi de L'Orme and Andreas. Armaturk is sure to go close in his bid to capture this event for the second year running. One of two Paul Nichols challengers in the line-up, he will once again be partnered by Christian Williams and is set to race off only a pound higher mark than when narrowly beating Well Chief 12 months ago. He has since changed ownership and now runs in the familiar green and yellow colours of Trevor Hemmings who saw him produce a brilliant comeback win at Lingfield in the same race that he took in last year en-route to today's target. The eight-year-old was also entered in Saturday's Paddy Power, but the decision to run here again instead is the right one and should reap dividends. Stablemate Andreas has the assistance of Ruby Walsh in the saddle, but he was a bit disappointing when second on his Aintree comeback and will be hard to place off his current mark now that he is out of novice company. Made In Japan has taken on good opposition since going chasing, but the 2004 Triumph Hurdle winner has yet to convince that he has what it takes to go to the top over fences. A bigger danger to the selection therefore may be Bambi de L'Orme who ran with credit both here and at Aintree in the spring. He looks well weighted and will be suited by a truly run race, but he faces a tough opponent in Armaturk who gets our vote.
Armaturk (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Prominent, pushed along and closed on leading pair approaching 3 out, led and pecked 3 out, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 2m lst hcp chs (A) gd in Oct beating Bleu Superbe (10-8) by 2l, 10 ran.
Seebald (GER) 17-2 (11-3) Close up, disputing 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Impek (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Oct, 9 ran.
Andreas (FR) 5-6fav (11-11) Chased leader, led 8th, headed 3 out, ridden approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Baby Run (11-4) at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (A) gs in Oct.
Full Irish (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Never travelling well, not always fluent, always towards rear, 12th of 15, 28l behind Darrias (10-10) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in May.
Made In Japan (JPN) 6-1 (11-3) In rear and pushed along, not fluent 7th, headway approaching 9th, ridden and outpaced from 12th, last of 6, 18l behind Locksmith (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Apr.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 85-40fav (11-0) Held up, headway to lead 2 out, driven out, won at Warwick 2m chs (B) gf in May beating River City (11-10) by a nk, 5 ran.
Tysou (FR) 10-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 24, 7l behind Fota Island (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Tiger Cry (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Always prominent, 2nd from 3rd, left in lead after 7th, clear 5 out, stayed on well from 3 out, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chs gd in Oct beating Healy's Pub (11-12) by 8l, 17 ran.
One Cornetto (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Held up in touch, effort when jumped right 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 7, 11l behind Flying Spirit (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (C) gd in Oct.
Bold Bishop (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 3 out, upsides and every chance when jumped right last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Flying Spirit (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (C) gd in Oct.
