led until fell 9th
towards rear, badly hampered and stumbled 9th, weakened after next, tailed off when blundered 2 out
mid-division, clipped heels after 8th, hampered next, headway 10th, ridden after 4 out, 3rd and held when hit 2 out, weakened
mid-division, headway and hampered 9th, ridden to chase winner after 4 out, held from next, lost 2nd run-in
tracked leaders, left in lead 9th, in command from 3 out, comfortably
tracked leaders, hampered and lost place 9th, soon ridden, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd run in, no chance with winner
prominent, ridden 7th, hit next, soon behind
Papeete gets the call over Methodical, with Blackbriery Thyne and Annie Fleetwood all in with a shout. Papeete was a fairly useful sort on the Flat, scoring five times in all, and in just six starts over timber, has won once, and been placed three times. Now the time has come for Dina Smith to send the mare chasing, and she could be one to follow as long as she is not too highly tried. Methodical was put in his place by That Look at Huntingdon last time, but the winner is considered useful, and Brendan Powell's mare is a big threat. Blackbriery Thyne was beaten out of sight over hurdles at Cheltenham in April, but she looks likely to relish the switch to fences, and will benefit from the run, while Annie Fleetwood is surely better than she has shown of late. Jades Double has to merit a mention as well, and is another with the scope to well over fences, but we turn to Papeete as the answer.
Annie Fleetwood 28-1 (11-7) In touch until 11th, tailed off and pulled up in race won by Ibberton (10-4) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd, 14 ran.
Are You There 16-1 (11-1) Towards rear, hit 7th, soon struggling, tailed off 8th and pulled up at the last in race won by Alfadora (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd, 14 ran.
Blackbriery Thyne (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out and weakened soon after, 13th of 18, 34l behind Silver Charmer (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Jades Double 7-2jt-fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, chased winner 2 out, every chance flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, shd behind Gaelic Gift (9-10) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Oct.
Joli Classical (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) In touch when fell 5 out in race won by Herecomestanley (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct, 8 ran.
Methodical 25-1 (10-9) In touch, stumbled on landing 2 out, chased winner next, never able to challenge, 2nd of 13, 8l behind That Look (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Aug.
Papeete (GER) 10-1 (10-13) Held up, effort 7th, one pace, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Gaelic Gift (9-10) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Oct.
Satin Starlight 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division, keen, behind from 5th, mistake last, 9th of 10, well behind Ashwell (11-6) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
