held up, hit 2nd, not fluent 5th, behind from 9th
always behind, tailed off when blundered 11th, pulled up before 4 out
with winner until 8th, soon driven along in touch, stayed on again from 4 out
in touch until 7th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
took keen hold in touch, lost touch from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in touch, headway 8th to track leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out
jumped well, led until after 7th, prominent, led 3 out very easily
in touch until 9th, soon well behind
tracked leaders, led after 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, lost place 8th, jumped left 11th, soon weakened
Star De Mohaison, Spirit of New York and Von Origny look the three to concentrate on in this competitive novices chase and the vote is given to Star De Mohaison. The selection won well last time out when beating Supreme Serenade. That form sets the standard in the context of this race and under similar conditions here he will be hard to beat,. Spirit Of New York rates the main danger as he is unbeaten to date but this represents a sharp rise in class and at likely odds he looks worth opposing. Von Origny is another that could go well as he was impressive on his chasing debut when beating Nadover and as he gets all the weight for age allowances he should be noted in the market. Of the remainder The Listner is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but his best form is over a much longer trip and for the winner we return to Star De Mohaison.
Spirit of New York (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 8th, driven to challenge last, ran on well under pessure to lead towards finish, won at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (D) sft in Oct beating Montgermont (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Double Header (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Lord Killeshanra (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (C) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Keepthedreamalive 9-4 (11-5) Led, headed and pecked badly 4 out, stayed on again from 2 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Royal Hector (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) gs in Nov.
Master Billyboy (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Toulouse-Lautrec (11-0) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Sharp Rigging (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 18l behind Lacdoudal (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (A) sft in Oct.
The Listener (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) In mid-division when stumbled and slipped up at the 2nd in race won by Julius Caesar (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Star De Mohaison (FR) 11-4 (10-5) Tracked leaders and keen, led 10th, clear after 2 out, easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (C) sft in Oct beating Supreme Serenade (10-12) by 13l, 6 ran.
Von Origny (FR) 11-10fav (10-7) In touch, led 4th, made rest, ridden and ran on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (D) hvy in Nov beating Nadover (10-7) by 3l, 4 ran.
