held up, pecked 6th, 4th and effort before 3 out, no impression and held when not fluent and left 3rd 2 out, weakened into 4th last
tracked leaders, jumped right at times, went 2nd when dived at 5th, not fluent 8th, closed on leader after 3 out, every chance when fell 2 out
made all, clear 3rd, not fluent next, reduced lead after 3 out, ridden before last, pressed when left well clear flat
held up, went 3rd 8th, closed after 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, trying to challenge when ran out flat (went through tape dolling off run-in to rest of course)
held up in rear, blundered 1st, not fluent next, hit 3rd, pulled up before 7th
held up in rear, hampered and some headway 2 out, went 3rd last, left 2nd flat, no chance with winner
chased winner, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd before 5th, not fluent 9th, weakened before 3 out
DIAKALI has won his two chase starts by an aggregate of 52 lengths. These fences are obviously a lot more daunting than the ones at Newton Abbot and Fontwell but Gary Moore’s nine-year-old was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and should complete the hat-trick if putting in a clear round. Sister Sibyl won on the New course here in April and later at Warwick. She’s taken well to fences but this is her toughest task to date. Caid Du Lin beat One For Billy and Dear Sire at Worcester last month but the latter reversed the form with the winner next time at Sedgefield, though Dan Skelton’s charge comes out best at the weights today. Storm Home still has time on his side but All Set To Go has two ways of running and was a lucky winner last time at Worcester.
All Set To Go (IRE) 11-8 (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, went 2nd 3 out, jumped right and not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, closing but still 3 1/2 lengths down when left well clear last, won at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Sep beating By Rail (10-4) by 27l, 4 ran.
Dear Sire (FR) 6-4 (11-6) Jumped slightly right at times, tracked leader, challenged 3 out, led after next, ridden out, won at Sedgefield 2m (4) gf in Oct beating Caid Du Lin (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Diakali (FR) 1-2fav (11-4) Jumped well, made all, clear after 2nd, unchallenged after, eased flat, very easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gd in Jun beating Miss Night Owl (10-5) by 23l, 5 ran.
One For Billy 4-1 (12-0) Led to 3rd, remained in touch, outpaced when briefly short of room before 3 out, switched outside and ridden after next, went 2nd and ran closing stages, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Caid Du Lin (11-2) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Caid Du Lin (FR) 1-2fav (11-6) Went slightly right at times, led, mistake 4th, joined then shaken up 3 out, headed after 2 out, soon switched right, held after, kept on, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Dear Sire (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m (4) gf in Oct.
Sister Sibyl (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-7) Chased leaders, switched right before last, went 2nd last, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May beating Dandy Dan (11-10) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Storm Home (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Led to 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Verni (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gd in May.
