driven at several stages throughout race, chased leader, led and mistake 2nd, headed 3rd, led 9th to 11th, chased leader until led again approaching 2 out, all out
held up, not fluent 10th, mistake 17th, some headway approaching 3 out, 4th and no impression when fell 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 13th, weakened approaching 18th
led until stumbled on landing and headed 2nd, soon lost place, reminder after 4th, headway 11th, ridden after 2 out, no extra final 150 yards
led 3rd to 9th, led 11th until after 14th, weakened 17th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind from 7th, tailing off when refused 15th
chasing leaders when mistake 1st, lost a few places, reminder after 13th, headway to lead after 14th, headed approaching 2 out, rallied towards finish
held up, not fluent 9th, headway 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
A good quality chase and one in which Native Ivy should see off Silver Knight. Colin Tinkler's team had a rare reverse earlier in the week but the trainer's horses are ultra-consistent and recent Sandown score, Native Ivy gets our nod. This is rather a steep step up in grade for him but this 120+ hurdler has a good technique and he could go on to better things in time. Silver Knight is never spectacular at anything he does but he jumps well and stays stoutly. There is the suspicion that he was given a soft lead last time out at Wetherby but he did well to repel all closers and it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he landed this one. Arctic Jack looked to need his first race back. Another bold jumper - he hails from a yard who have had plenty of success at this track. Double Honour seems to run almost every week and the word "exposed" seems to come to mind when his name is mentioned. Naunton Brook has shown glimpses of ability but has lacked overall consistency. Native Ivy gets the vote.
Double Honour (FR) 9-1 (10-9) Chased leader, left in lead 3rd, headed after next, in touch when fell at the 14th in race won by Garvivonnian (10-4) at Aintree 3m 3f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Nov, 19 ran.
Merchants Friend (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, mistake 16th, well behind when mistake 3 out, stayed on approaching last, never near leaders, 6th of 16, 16l behind Innox (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov.
Silver Knight 3-1 (11-9) Held up, led 9th, under pressure when hit 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (C) hvy beating Jungle Jinks (10-11) by 4l, 6 ran.
Native Ivy (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-9) Chased leader, ridden after 4 out, led on inside after 3 out, kept on gamely flat, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov beating Ken'tucky (11-10) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Naunton Brook 16-1 (10-0) Chased leader, jumped slowly and lost place 2nd, headway 7th, weakened 12th, 7th of 8, 45l behind Captain Corelli (9-9) at Haydock 3m hcp chs (B) sft.
Coursing Run (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Mid-division, reminders and lost place 5th, behind when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Tom's Prize (10-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Artic Jack (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Made most until headed 5f out, ridden next, kept on same pace from 3f out, 4th of 6, 14l behind Mckelvey (11-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (C) sft in Nov.
Over The Storm (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on outside, ridden, lost place 12th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Lothian Falcon (10-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
