tracked leaders on outside, mistake and lost place 12th, not fluent 15th, closed from 4 out, hit 3 out and left 2nd, challenged 2 out, led last, stayed on well
held up in last, mistake 11th, not fluent 14th, went 4th after 3 out, hampered and left 3rd next, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders on inside, mistake 4 out, soon ridden and beaten, pulled up before 3 out
led, jumped slowly 3rd, headed 14th, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 15th, every chance when fell 3 out
tracked leader, led 14th, ridden and joined 2 out, headed last, soon edged left, no impression towards finish
A race short on numbers but not on quality. BLAKLION isn't the most straight forward of individuals and though he flopped on his chasing debut at Chepstow, the lack of a penalty could work to his advantage and we'll take him to get off the mark here. David Pipe has had two of the last three winners of this contest and Grade 1 winning hurdler, Un Temps Pour Tout has to go down as a fascinating recruit to the larger obstacles. Twelve Roses was successful at Wetherby following a massive absence and the second has gone on to uphold the form since. Vicente and Vintage Vinnie disappointed their supporters in a similar race at Prestbury Park last month. The latter looked to hold every chance when departing at the third last.
Vicente (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, not fluent 4 out, blundered and left 2nd 3 out, every chance when not fluent 2 out, stayed on flat, closing on 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Shantou Flyer (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct.
One For Arthur (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Always prominent, switched inside before 12th, led between last 2, ridden and kept on flat, won at Kelso 2m 7f (4) gd in Oct beating Seldom Inn (11-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Twelve Roses 4-1 (11-4) In touch, led 3 out, held on towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct beating Southfield Royale (11-4) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Vintage Vinnie (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Led, mistake 12th, narrow lead when fell 3 out, at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct.
Blaklion 9-4fav (11-4) Close 2nd or 3rd, not fluent 5 out, ridden 3 out, no impression on winner from next, stayed on, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 7, 3 3/4l behind Cocktails At Dawn (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f (2) gd in Oct.
Un Temps Pour Tout (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) won at Auteuil 3m 1f hvy in Jun beating Thousand Stars (10-10) by 10l, 15 ran.
