led until 2nd, chased winner until after 9th, soon weakened
took keen hold in touch, weakened after 9th, soon tailed off
jumped slightly right throughout, tracked leaders, blundered 9th, outpaced 10th, stayed on again to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
held up, headway to join winner after 9th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, soon held, weakened last
tracked leaders, hampered 9th, outpaced next, stayed on again to go 3rd close home
led 2nd, made rest, in command when mistake 2 out, easily
Zalda looks the one to be on here, with Idris, Novacella and No Way Back all seen as dangers. Zalda was successful twice on the Flat for Roger Charlton, and has kept good company since going hurdling, putting in an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2005. She has only had three outings this year, and was successful on the last of them, at Newton Abbot in July, making all under Tom O'Brien. Trainer Philip Hobbs has wasted no time in putting her over fences though, and by all accounts she has schooled really well. The five-year-old brings a touch of class to proceedings and should make the most of the weight that she receives from Idris. The latter has not been seen out since March and was not as good as the selection over timber anyway. Novacella is another that returns to the fray, and also has a bit to find, while No Way Back did not impress with his jumping on his recent chase bow at Worcester. All in all, this is best left to Zalda.
El Viejo (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, ridden and lost place after 10th, behind when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Kosmos Bleu (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May, 6 ran.
General Hopkins (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Led and took keen hold, headed 6th, weakened quickly 8th, soon tailed off, hampered 3 out, 6th of 11, well behind Youlbesolucky (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (5) gf in Jul.
Idris (GER) 3-10fav (11-8) Ran in snatches, chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, held when hit last, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Maljimar (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
No Way Back (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up, headway to chase leading pair 11th, hit 14th, close up before 4 out, soon beaten and eased, 3rd of 8, 34l behind Legal Glory (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd.
Novacella (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden 5th, weakened next, 8th of 16, 19l behind Golden Bay (9-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Zalda 2-1jt-fav (11-5) Made all, pushed clear 2 out, comfortably, won at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jul beating Darjeeling (10-2) by 5l, 7 ran.
