chased winner, reminders 6th, driven approaching 3 out, mistake and awkward on landing 2 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened approaching last
held up in 4th, went 3rd 4th until after 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up in 3rd, mistake 2nd, jumped slowly and dropped to 4th 3rd, not fluent 5th or 6th (water), reminder after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner
made all, clear approaching 5th, unchallenged
TATENEN's performance at Aintree almost lived up to his billing and although this represents a different test there seems to be little advantage in opposing him. There are a number of viable alternatives for the forecast amongst the remaining five runners with Straw Bear perhaps the best of them. Tatenen already heads the market for the Arkle having made a winning start to his chasing career at Aintree in grand fashion. He's held in high regard by a yard that should have some understanding of his merits and has very few miles on the clock. This isn't the easiest course to jump around but few of the others have experience here and he has the best form. One that does have experience of the track is Poquelin who benefited from a vintage Walsh ride to win by half a length from French Saulaie. He was value for more than the winning margin and could easily chase his stablemate home. I'm So Lucky has made a fine start to his chasing career and takes up this entry rather than chance his arm in the Paddy Power which seems sensible with just three chase starts under his belt. He's talented but has mainly been kept to flat circuits and it remains to be seen how well he comes up the hill. Crescent Island stays three miles and should make good use of his stamina but he did blot his copybook when running out on the first circuit at Perth in September and has a little to find on the book. Straw Bear's debut run attracted plenty of attention for the ride that the smart hurdler received but he was hardly springheeled at his fences and only really picked up on the flat. A similarly prudent approach could see him overhaul the field on the run to the line if he's still in touch jumping the last; that is of course with the exception of our selection, Tatenen.
Crescent Island (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on flat, won at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating Kia Kaha (11-3) by 4l, 12 ran.
High Bird Humphrey 11-1 (11-0) Mid-division, led 5 out, ridden and headed 4 out, driven and weakened after last, 4th of 11, 7l behind Mill Side (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Straw Bear (USA) 2-1 (11-2) Held up, took closer order 7th, went 3rd after 4 out, stayed on run in, finished well final 50 yards, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (3) gs in Oct.
Tatenen (FR) 4-7fav (10-7) Tracked leader, led 6th, clear from 2 out, won at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (1) gs in Oct beating The Duke's Speech (11-2) by 11l, 5 ran.
Poquelin (FR) 5-2fav (11-7) In touch, mistake 6th (water), lost place 9th, behind when rapid headway after 2 out, driven to lead flat, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd in Oct beating French Saulaie (11-2) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
I'm So Lucky 1-2fav (11-4) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 4 out, soon in command, comfortably, won at N Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gd in Jun beating Osprey View (10-12) by 13l, 7 ran.
