settled last, pushed along from 4 out to chase leading pair after 3 out, challenging on inside and not much room but ridden when blundered badly 2 out, not recover, kept on to press for 2nd near finish
jumped well, with leader, led 4th, made rest, in command well before last, drew clear run-in
settled in 4th, effort to chase winner 3 out, no impression before last but kept on to hold 2nd near finish
tracked leaders, chased winner 11th until not fluent 3 out, weakened quickly, blundered last
led to 4th, chased winner to 11th, weakened 4 out
in touch to 9th, in rear when mistake 13th
Just the seven runners, but a very good race nonetheless with the vote going to Cornish Rebel ahead of Lacdoudal and Wraggs To Riches. Cornish Rebel might be quirky but he is also very talented and, having looked a genuine Royal & SunAlliance Chase contender this season, can set about further confirming that view here. Lacdoudal has also looked progressive in winning his last two and is now ready for this step up in class. However, he finished behind a stablemate that is rated inferior to Cornish Rebel earlier in the year, which sways us back to the Nicholls entry. Joes Edge showed improved form to finish second to Control Man over course and distance last time and can go well again, although he will probably ideally be suited by further in time. The likeable Wraggs To Riches won in good style at Fakenham last time and, while this is a step up in grade, it will be interesting to see how he fares. With Shalako looking the second choice of the Hobbs runners and the other two racing from out of the weights, we turn again to Cornish Rebel, who gets the vote in this contest.
