mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders 13th, 6 lengths 3rd when blundered 4 out, weakened
towards rear, slightly hampered 9th, no impression
tracked leaders, weakened 9th
prominent, hard ridden to lead last
led, jumped slowly 3rd, hard ridden when headed last, kept on
towards rear, headway 12th, kept on one pace from 2 out
towards rear, headway after 13th, mistake 5 out, weakened 3 out
mid-division, jumped right 5th, headway 8th, behind when pulled up before 5 out
in touch, outpaced and lost place 14th, stayed on
towards rear, staying on from 4 out and held when mistake 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 10th, soon weakened
held up when fell 8th
in touch, not fluent 4th, mistake 7th, soon struggling
Carnival Town is very consistent and is taken to break his duck over fences now back at a favoured track; Le Briar Soul and Mark The Book make it to the shortlist. The selection has finished second twice in a row now over fences but has not been beaten far at the line on either occasion. The stable have been under somewhat of a cloud of late but with the Christmas period expected to provide winners, this son of Classic Cliche can get off the mark over birch with cheek-pieces on for the first time. Le Briar Soul ran well on his chase debut when returning from a summer break and it would be no surprise to see him improve for that outing, whilst Mark The Book and Mister Potter need respect assuming that their jumping holds together. Supreme Huntress stays well and Paul Nicholls' gelding should be afforded respect on his chasing debut especially as he stays well, whilst Sherwoods Folly tries some cheek-pieces in order to try and bring about some improvement. An open race and Carnival Town gets the vote.
Carnival Town 3-1 (11-2) Led, hit 12th, blundered and headed 2 out, chased winner after, no impression, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Trigger The Light (11-2) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Jackella (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 13th, mistake and hampered 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 47l behind Nacadour (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gf.
Jamadiel (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up, reminder 9th, ridden after 10th, headway 12th, stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 9, 12l behind Beau Michel (11-1) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd.
Le Briar Soul (IRE) 3-1fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Pass It On (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Mark The Book (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) fell at the 2nd in race won by Portland Bill (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs, 10 ran.
Mayeul (FR) 100-1 (10-7) In touch, hit 6th, mistake 11th, ridden 13th, lost place 4 out, left distant 2nd 3 out, 2nd of 5, 23l behind Pur De Sivola (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) sft.
Mister Potter 9-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, disputing close 3rd when blundered and unseated rider at the 11th in race won by Bagan (11-9) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) gs, 8 ran.
Shannons Boy (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 7th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Whitford Don (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar, 12 ran.
Sherwoods Folly 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 12th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up 5 out in race won by Leading Authority (11-7) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy, 10 ran.
Supreme Huntress (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Towards rear when hampered 7th, headway approaching 3 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 20, 12l behind Eden Linty (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
The Empty Tin (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 11th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Minella Tipperary (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
The Mystery Man (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) In touch and keen, led 13th, headed next, weakening when mistake 4 out virtually refused and unseated rider at the last in race won by Rifleman (11-1) at Hereford 3m 1f amt hcp chs (5) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
What A Scientist (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, reminders 10th, weakening when jumped slowly 13th, 5th of 6, 32l behind Verasi (11-1) at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy.
Ya I Know (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up, blundered 9th, steady headway after 4 out, outpaced next, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Trigger The Light (11-2) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
