raced keenly, held up behind, blundered 10th, chased leaders 3 out, well beaten 3rd when hit next, weakened and lost place flat
blundered 1st, in rear, mistake 3rd, lost touch 5th, fell next
tracked clear pair, close up 4 out, went 2nd going well after next, upsides 2 out, led before last, quickened clear flat, comfortably
held up in 4th, close up 4 out, led and hit next, joined next, driven and headed approaching last, kept on same pace in clear 2nd, no chance with winner flat
led narrowly and clear with one other, headed 5th, led again 7th, hit and headed 3 out, weakened next
with leader and clear, led 5th to 7th, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened
behind, struggling 10th, 6th and last approaching last, stayed on to go moderate 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair
Nonrunner
AL FEROF won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle here in March on his last appearance and is an exciting prospect over fences. He can make a successful reappearance, despite taking on some promising novices. Lancetto got the better of the selection's stablemate Toubab over C&D last month and is on the upgrade, while Bellvano won at Punchestown in May but more is needed here. Astracad was impressive at Perth in September but was readily outpaced at Aintree next time and is likely to find this drop in distance against him. Court In Session has won four times between the flags and twice over hurdles but is another for whom this trip would be the absolute minimum.
Bellvano (GER) 7-2fav (11-5) Chased leader, went 2nd halfway, closer from 5 out, disputed lead from early straight, kept on under pressure, led run-in and stayed on well, won at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs in May beating Montan (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Delphi Mountain (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, closed into 2nd before straight, led before 2 out where mistake, narrowly headed last, on terms again and every chance run-in, no extra and kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Princeton Plains (11-1) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl in Sep.
Al Ferof (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, stayed on well under pressure to lead flat, kept on, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar beating Spirit Son (11-7) by 2l, 15 ran.
Astracad (FR) 10-3 (11-8) Tracked leaders, headway 12th, not fluent 4 out, driven when not fluent 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Champion Court (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Court In Session (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Tended to jump well, came clear from 2 out, well in command when went left and hit last, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Ascot 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating All The Winds (11-3) by 14l, 6 ran.
L'Eldorado (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Made all, stayed on strongly from 2 out, won at Hexham 2m nov chs (4) gd in Oct beating Pena Dorada (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Maggio (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Led, narrowly headed 6th, with leader, led again narrowly 9th, narrowly headed 4 out, stayed pressing until slow 2 out, kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Ballycolin (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd.
Lancetto (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Led, sometimes jumped right, headed 9th, not fluent 3 out when leader was drawing clear, closed last, edged right flat, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gf in Oct beating Toubab (11-3) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Toubab (FR) 5-4fav (11-3) Held up behind leaders, pecked slightly 3rd, went 2nd 7th, led 9th, clear 3 out until hit last, driven and headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Lancetto (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gf in Oct.
