tracked leader, hit 8th, not fluent 9th or 11th, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra final 150 yards
led, hit 11th, mistake 3 out, soon headed, weakened next
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
towards rear, not fluent 1st or 7th, headway on outside 10th, lost place 13th, mistake and unseated rider 4 out
mid-division, mistakes, struggling 12th, behind when blundered badly 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden 12th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 8th, well beaten 13th
held up in touch, closed 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, clear when mistake last, idled flat, driven out
held up towards rear, mistakes, well beaten 4 out
in rear, mistake 8th, well beaten 13th
held up in rear, some headway 13th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on well, unable to reach winnner
This is a cracking contest and you'd expect a few of these to come back here for The Festival. None can be dismissed out of hand though Carole's Destrier disappointed when favourite at Chepstow last month. Garrahalish and Black River are others who failed to justify market support last time but Perfect Candidate, Horatio Hornblower and Benevolent all arrive off the back of recent victories. Stellar Notion has won four of his five starts under Rules but may have a few pounds too much now. Ned Stark and Mosspark are back in the right grade and could figure but IRISH CAVALIER may be poised to get off the mark. He should reverse Taunton running with Black River on 6lb better terms and will handle conditions better than most.
Carole's Destrier 11-8fav (11-12) Last pair, never on terms, tailed off before 5 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Rebeccas Choice (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Stellar Notion (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Made all, pushed along 3out, mistake last, driven out run in, won at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcap ch (3) gs in Dec beating Knock House (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Irish Cavalier (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Tracked leader, led after 7th, headed narrowly 4 out, soon driven, left in lead again next, ridden 2 out, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Black River (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcap ch (3) sft in Dec.
Garrahalish (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Held up tracking leaders, headway into 3rd after 7th, ridden after 3 out, driven and not quicken between last 2, stayed on into 2nd final 150 yards and kept on, not quite going pace of winner, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Dance Floor King (10-11) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcap ch (3) sft in Dec.
Black River (FR) 15-8fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out until just before last where short of room, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Filbert (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 2nd, headed after 4th, led after 8th, jumped right 13th, driven flat, stayed on, clear towards finish, won at Leicester 2m 7f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs beating The Musical Guy (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Mosspark (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, not fluent 8th, ridden 12th, not fluent 13th, blundered 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 7, 26l behind Sego Success (11-0) at Warwick 3m lst nov chs (1) sft.
Generous Ransom (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway 5out, outpaced after next, rallied approaching last, kept on run in, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Stellar Notion (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcap ch (3) gs in Dec.
Horatio Hornblower (IRE) 11-10fav (10-9) Prominent, not fluent 9th, led 4 out, edged left flat, clear towards finish, stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Dec beating Mister Newby (10-9) by 5l, 7 ran.
Keel Haul (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leader from 2nd, not fluent next, pushed along 6th, led 4 out, 3 lengths clear 2 out, driven and joined flat, headed close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Upepito (11-1) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Benevolent (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Settled in rear, hampered when left in 5th at 7th, effort after 3 out, led last, driven clear, ran on well (1 fence ommited), won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec beating A Tail Of Intrigue (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Astigos (FR) 7-1 (10-6) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 14th, disputing 2nd 4 out, driven and no impression in 3rd before 2 out, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Gevrey Chambertin (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov hcap ch (3) gs in Dec.
Ned Stark (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 12th until pecked 4 out, outpaced next, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 27l behind Ptit Zig (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) gs.
