mid-division, 4th 4 out, outpaced and no impression from next, weakened before 2 out
took keen hold, led, not fluent 2nd, headed after 3 out, weakened flat
close 2nd, led after 3 out, clear when mistake 2 out, jumped slowly last, edged left flat, driven out
mid-division, pulled hard, closed after 5th, not fluent 8th, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last
in rear, ridden after 9th, lost touch before 4 out
chased leaders, not fluent 8th, outpaced before 4 out, rallied from 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, not reach winner
held up in rear, not fluent 9th, outpaced before 4 out, stayed on flat, went 4th towards finish, no impression
Stamina is ROYALE KNIGHT's forte and he's rated 20lb lower over hurdles than over fences. He was sixth in the Grand National in April before pulling up in the bet365 Gold Cup and it would be no surprise to see him make a winning reappearance. Champagne Present won over 3m at Ludlow in February so a return to a longer trip should suit while Western Way has won his last two, at Market Rasen and Perth, but steps up another grade here off an 8lb higher mark. Sir Mangan and Bally Legend will be back over fences soon and Cannon Fodder fell on her reappearance at Plumpton and became disappointing last season.
Bally Legend 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, plugged on from 2 out, never a threat, 6th of 20, 10 1/2l behind Just A Par (10-3) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Champagne Present (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Led, not fluent 5th, headed 4 out, no impression on winner and one pace in 3rd when not fluent last, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Kalifourchon (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Sir Mangan (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Disputed lead until led after 3rd, jumped slowly next, headed approaching 3 out, no extra from next, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Warden Hill (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m 1f (3) gd in Apr.
Western Way (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led when mistake last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Skylander (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Royale Knight 20-1 (10-2) Never better than mid-division, pushed along and struggling 14th, tailed off and pulled up 19th, at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Cannon Fodder 7-1 (10-10) Led, fell 5th, at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Morestead Screamer 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, closed 4th, ridden after 7th, outpaced before 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 12, 15 1/4l behind Taradrewe (12-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
