led until 3rd, remained prominent, under pressure 10th, weakened 5 out, rallied 2 out, never on terms
prominent, slow 1st and 2nd, under pressure 10th, soon weakened, rallied 3 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner
raced keenly tracking leaders, led 3rd, headed 11th, mistake 12th, led again 3 out, clear when driven and blundered last, eased close home
tracked leaders, jumped right 7th, led 11th, headed when not fluent 3 out, blundered next, soon weakened, lost 2nd after last
held up in touch, under pressure when mistake 13th, soon lost place
raced in rear but in touch, not fluent 2nd, struggling 6th, blundered and unseated rider next
held up in touch, mistake 8th, soon lost place
Cool Mission was very ponderous on his chasing debut at Ayr and will need to jump better here if he is to take a hand in the finish. Galaxy Rock got no further than the fourth fence at Folkestone earlier in the month and is another struggling to adapt to the larger obstacles. First-time blinkers are employed here, however, and he could figure if they improve his concentration. Winterwood and Sunsalve are probably capable of improving on what they've shown so far but FLIGHT LEADER is the form pick on last season's form which included seconds at Exeter and Warwick. The 11-year-old has been very highly tried so far this campaign and will appreciate the drop in class.
Cool Mission (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Led to 2nd, remained close up, jumped slowly 5th, in touch from next, pushed along after 9th, weakened from 12th, soon tailed off, in 4th when left remote 3rd last, 3rd of 5, well behind Elzahann (10-7) at Ayr 2m 5f beg chase (4) gs.
Flight Leader (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Prominent, weakening when hit 4 out, 11th of 18, 32l behind Synchronised (11-6) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft.
Galaxy Rock (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Held up, blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Peveril (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chase (5) hvy, 5 ran.
Mortimers Cross 10-1 (11-0) Held up behind, left 4th 8th, mistake 12th, chased winner after 4 out until hit next, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 6, 35l behind Adams Island (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.
Sunsalve (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 10th, soon struggling, taied off from 6 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Silver Kate (10-7) at Chepstow 3m beg chase (4) sft, 7 ran.
Theballyedmondchap (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up in 4th, closed 13th, went close 2nd when hit 3 out and unseated rider, in a race won by Blazing Bailey (10-12) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) hvy in Mar, 4 ran.
Winterwood (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Not fluent 3rd, last after next, ridden when not fluent 11th, soon getting left behind, lost touch from 13th, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Sheshali (11-3) at Southwell 3m beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Hommage A Bach (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Raced in 2nd, ridden and weakened after 4 out, trailing from 2 out, 7th of 13, 44l behind Drop Anchor (11-1) at Bellewstown 3m mdn hdl gd in Aug.
