led, not fluent 5th, headed 8th, mistake 12th, fell 15th
tracked leaders on outside, pushed along after 11th brielfy, not fluent next, mistake 14th, soon outpaced, hampered next, well beaten from 4 out, went 3rd from last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th until before 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch in rear, closed from 9th, went 2nd when not fluent 3 out, not fluent last 2, stayed on but unable to challenge
tracked leader, led 8th, driven and stayed on well flat
A fascinating affair with the top four all having posted very fluent successes on their respective chasing bows. Jumping will clearly be key on the softened ground and both Sausalito Sunrise and Creepy are the two of the aforementioned quartet to make greatest appeal, both having fenced with real proficiency around Chepstow on their respective seasonal reappearances.The former is just preferred with the Hobbs yard in such rattling form but KINGS PALACE is taken to outpoint all four previous winners. He looked destined for top novice status over timber until disappointing at the Festival meeting but had previously looked high-class, including when scoring most impressively in quality contests at this venue. In receipt of 5lb all round, he's taken to make a winning chase debut for a yard that traditionally has done really well at this three-day fixture.
Creepy (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) Jumped boldly, made all, clear 4 out, shaken up between last two, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 3m nov hcap ch (3) gd in Sep beating Barton Stacey (11-5) by 20l, 6 ran.
Drop Out Joe 8-15fav (11-4) Made all, clear before 3 out, shaken up before last, kept on, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft in Oct beating Water Garden (11-1) by 9l, 5 ran.
Knock House (IRE) 15-8fav (11-3) Made most, ridden clear approaching last, ran on, comfortable, won at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Oct beating Top Totti (10-10) by 18l, 6 ran.
Sausalito Sunrise (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 5 out, clear before last, kept on well, won at Chepstow 3m nov chs (4) sft in Oct beating Minella On Line (11-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Kings Palace (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Led until after 4th, stayed prominent, led again 8th, headed after 2 out, 5th and weakening when fell last, in a race won by Very Wood (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar, 18 ran.
