led, blundered 10th, joined after 4 out, headed before 2 out, ridden between last 2, 1 length down when blundered last, not pace of winner flat
tracked leader, challenged after 4 out, not fluent next, led before 2 out, 1 length advantage last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well
not fluent 1st, tracked rival pair, jumped slowly on occasions, driven and outpaced after 3 out, no chance with clear pair from next, tailed off
Colin Tizzard won this with Thistlecrack last year and is represented by the latter’s half-brother WEST APPROACH. A smart hurdler, he made a winning start over fences at Ffos Las last month and looks to have the edge over Ballyoptic on these terms. The Twiston-Davies charge also made a winning chase debut when successful at Exeter though is penalised 8lb for that along with Black Corton. Paul Nicholls’ charge is the most experienced over fences having won five of seven attempts including last month’s victory over course and distance but is facing a tougher task in this.
Ballyoptic (IRE) 7-4 (11-1) Made virtually all, not fluent 5 out, drew clear before 2 out, pushed out, readliy, won at Exeter 3m (2) sft in Nov beating Elegant Escape (11-1) by 13l, 5 ran.
Black Corton (FR) 5-2 (11-8) Pressed leader, mistake 8th, led 15th, hard pressed 3 out, headed narrowly when left 5 lengths clear next, driven out, kept on, won at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct beating Fagan (11-5) by 10l, 5 ran.
West Approach 7-4 (11-5) Led until 6th, remained prominent, led again 4 out, drew clear after 2 out, comfortably, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f (3) sft in Oct beating Jameson (11-5) by 9l, 6 ran.
