led, mistake 3rd, headed 8th, led before 12th, soon headed, mistake 14th, disputing 2nd when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up in last, mistake 15th, headway on outside when not fluent 3 out, disputing 2 lengths 2nd when pitched on landing 2 out, beaten after, 3rd and no impression when jumped right last
chased leaders, mistake 5th, went 2nd briefly 10th, not fluent 13th, weakened after 3 out, blundered badly 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 14th, shaken up before 2 out, no impression on winner flat
tracked leader, led 8th, headed and briefly raced lazily before 12th, soon led again, readily drew clear flat
NonRunner
This contest sees the chasing debut of the much-vaunted THE BIG BREAKAWAY. Fourth in the Ballymore at The Festival here in March after winning his first two races over hurdles, big things are expected of Colin Tizzard’s winning pointer now he tackles the larger obstacles. Soldier Of Love rattled up a sequence in the summer and did nothing wrong when chasing home Galvin here last month while The Butcher Said is 2-3 over fences and beat a subsequent winner last time at Bangor. The Mighty Don also beat a subsequent winner at Chepstow while Wolf Of Windlesham made a winning debut in chases at Fakenham. Doc Penfro was a decent hurdler so may also have a future over fences.
Soldier Of Love 10-1 (11-8) Close up, led narrowly after 7th, headed 13th (water), regained narrow advantage 15th, ridden and headed approaching last, ran on, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Galvin (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct.
The Butcher Said (IRE) 5-6fav (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 12th, led and mistake 2 out, soon ridden, not fluent last, just held on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 3m (3) gd in Sep beating Cool Destination (11-0) by ns, 5 ran.
Wolf Of Windlesham (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Jumped well, held up in close 4th, tracked leading pair 3rd, went 2nd 6th, led 12th, clear 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Fakenham 3m (3) gd in Oct beating Young Wolf (11-12) by 11l, 4 ran.
Doc Penfro 10-1 (10-3) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, closed from next, challenged 4 out, led before 2 out, soon hanging left, headed close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Silver Sheen (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
The Big Breakaway (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, went 4th 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never threatened leaders, 4th of 12, 14 1/2l behind Envoi Allen (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
The Mighty Don (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Jumped stickily early stages, held up in 4th place, outpaced 12th, rallied approaching 5 out, soon 2nd, pushed along before 3 out, not fluent next, driven and stayed on gamely run-in, led close home, won at Chepstow 3m (3) gd in Oct beating Enrilo (11-0) by nk, 4 ran.
