in touch, pushed along 7th, weakened 10th, tailed off when hit 14th
close up, joined leader 3 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on
led 3rd, ridden and headed after 4 out, weakened 3 out
always behind
led to 3rd, prominent, led again after 4 out, ridden and headed last, hung left flat, not quicken towards finish
held up, headway 4th, lost place 7th, rallied 10th, hit 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up, headway 8th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
A small but fairly competitive field for this hunter chase and we take Denvale to be too good for The Butterwick Kid, Curly Spencer and Mage D'Estruval. The selection defied a nine month layoff to score on his seasonal bow at Wetherby last time out, and he goes well with cut. Staying is also his forte - in fact this is the shortest trip he has tackled - and he is well thought of by his astute trainer Caroline Bailey. He jumps well and he can reward her patience with another win here en route to Cheltenham. The veteran The Butterwick Kid is in decent form and retains all his enthusiasm. He also loves cut but was well beaten by the selection last time and similar may happen again. Curly Spencer has suspect stamina, having never won beyond 2m 4f, although he does like to get his toe in and can get involved, while Mage D'Estruval is interesting on his first British start for Henry Daly. A winner in France already, it is hard to assess that form but it is a fair bet that he possesses ability and can show up well. However, Denvale still looks capable of improving himself and he can score.
Camp Hill 66-1 (11-11) Always behind, hit 2nd, hampered 6th, pushed along approaching 8th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Denvale (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft, 10 ran.
Cobreces 4-1jt-fav (12-0) 3rd of 14, 18l behind Irilut (12-0) at 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Denvale (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) With leader, led 6th, driven out, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft beating Marrasit (10-10) by 3l, 10 ran.
The Butterwick Kid 6-4fav (11-6) Led 2nd, made rest, stayed on strongly, won at Newcastle 3m hts chs (6) sft beating Reasonably Sure (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mage d'Estruval (FR) (10-4) Won at Meslay Du Maine 2m 1f chs sft in May beating Malyciane (10-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
Curly Spencer (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) Won at Whittington 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Blank Cheque (12-6) by 20l, 7 ran.
On The Mend (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) 3rd of 10, 15l behind Upham Lord (11-0) at Brocklesby Park 3m ptp gd.
