tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, closed approaching 2 out, shaken up to lead run-in, pushed out and kept on well
tracked leaders, hit 4th, pushed along before 12th, weakened next
tracked leaders, left tracking leader 2nd, lost 2nd 14th, chased leading pair, ridden and no impression before 2 out, held on for modest 3rd post
tracing leading pair when hampered and lost place 2nd, brief rally approaching 13th, weakened next, soon behind, tailed off and eased
held up in rear, headway into 4th 14th, plugged on from 2 out, almost snatched modest 3rd post
led, badly bumped by loose horse 6th and hampered again after 10th, clear 4 out until approaching 2 out, ridden before last, headed and one pace run-in
last pair, not fluent 7th, pushed along and struggling in rear after 13th, tailed off
tracking leader when unseated rider 2nd
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Adam du Breteau is an improving sort for Jackdaws Castle and this good traveller should be able to establish a smooth rhythm around Town Moor. He still has something to learn regarding his fencing technique but another good run is expected provided there is no deterioration in ground conditions. However, he meets another up-and-coming chaser in LOOKING WELL and the Nicky Richards inmate is just preferred. He has steadily improved in five starts over the larger obstacles and created a really good impression with a most authoritative success at Kelso when last seen in May. There is obviously a concern about his subsequent absence but hopefully the market will speak positively of him. Willoughby Hedge is currently hard to assess and Big Casino arguably faces his toughest task of the season but La Vaticane could well have the class to get involved despite the steadier of joint-topweight. He was far from disgraced last time when fifth in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree.
La Vaticane (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway from 5th, blundered 3 out, no extra next, 5th of 17, 32l behind As De Mee (11-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Beeves (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Led until before 4th, led 8th, headed 17th, not fluent 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 22, 30 3/4l behind Vieux Lion Rouge (10-9) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Mercers Court (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 4th, blundered 2nd, ridden before 3 out, in 2nd when fell 2 out, at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Adam du Breteau (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 4 out, kept on well from last, won at Fontwell 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Leo Luna (11-10) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Ready Token (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Led, hit 13th, headed approaching 15th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 11th of 13, 30 1/2l behind Minella Daddy (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Wings Attract (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, jumped left 1st and next, reminders after 9th, weakened 12th, 10th of 13, dist behind Onderun (10-3) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Big Casino 4-1fav (11-12) Prominent, mistake 2nd, dropped off front pair 4th, hit 9th, headway when not fluent 17th, one pace 4 out, 8 lengths 3rd when fell heavily 3 out, at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Valleyofmilan (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Held up, slow 4th, some headway 11th, ridden next, outpaced 15th, plugged on from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Nortonthorpelegend (10-13) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Father Edward (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up, in mid-division, headway 4th, not fluent 6th, ridden and struggling 9th, mistake and well beaten 4 out, soon pulled up, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
Looking Well (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, went 3rd before 4 out, led after 2 out, kept on well and left clear from last, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gf in May beating Pena Dorada (10-13) by 13l, 7 ran.
Rhapando 5-2 (11-11) Prominent, led before 3 out, ridden after next, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Fond Memory (11-1) by 5l, 6 ran.
Willoughby Hedge 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, struggling 11th, ridden and weakened before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Bangor 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
