led, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and headed narrowly flat, rallied gamely to regain lead towards finish
tracked winner, challenged 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, soon ridden, kept on same pace in 3rd flat
held up in 5th, tracked leaders after 4 out, driven and one pace after 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure after last, held when no extra closing stages
tracked leading pair, mistake 4 out, effort on inside when hit 2 out, soon ridden, upsides last, led narrowly flat, kept on, headed towards finish
held up behind, outpaced 3 out, ridden after last, never reached leaders
in rear, struggling after 5th, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up
Some progressive sorts clash here but DYNAMITE DOLLARS has impressed in both winning starts this term and looks an improved performer. Hopefully he will handle the forecast very testing ground but at least landed his latest success on the soft. Whatmore is also two from two this season but has arguably landed lesser contests and both those wins have arrived on good ground, whereas the best of Delire D'estruval's form - achieved in France - has been delivered on the sort of terrain he's expected to face here. He will be all the better for his first run for Ben Pauling and could well emerge as the prime threat to the selection. Gortroe Joe displayed plenty of promise too for the Skeltons on his comeback at Cheltenham and completes the shortlist.
Delire D'Estruval (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, not much room 1st, unable to quicken last, 3rd and beaten when jockey eased briefly towards finish, lost 3rd near post, 4th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Hear No Evil (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Dynamite Dollars (FR) 10-11fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 4th, soon challenged, led 2 out (usual 3 out), driven clear from last (usual 2 out), stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov beating Thomas Patrick (10-12) by 11l, 15 ran.
Gortroe Joe (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Held up and patiently ridden in rear, headway 2 out, soon chased front pair, effort on inside when switched right last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Slate House (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Midnight Shadow 11-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden after next, switched outside before last, edged left and ran on flat, led towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Oct beating Counter Shy (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Waterlord 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, stayed on flat, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Cyrius Moriviere (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Whatmore 13-2 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up, headway when not fluent 2nd, challenged 2 out, driven to lead last, stayed on, clear towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct beating Zalvados (10-12) by 2l, 12 ran.
Windshear 33-1 (10-12) Behind, headway under pressure 3 out, stayed on approaching last, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 9, 18 1/4l behind Claimantakinforgan (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Nov.
