tracked leader, ridden and weakened 3 out
made all, challenged approaching last and ran on
in touch, ridden and mistake 4 out, every chance approaching last, no extra
held up, headway after 4 out, mistake and weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, one pace one mistake last
held up, mistake 5th, brief effort 2 out, soon held
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out and weakened
Lake Imperial gets the confident vote here with Pauntley Gofa and Roussea rating the main dangers. The selection won in facile fashion last time out when beating Dalriath and although having a seven pound penalty for that win he will be higher when recessed and under similar conditions he is hard to oppose. Pauntley Gofa rates the main danger as he beat Island of Memories last time out but this looks more competitive and he looks vulnerable under top weight. Roussea was a fair second behind Albarino last time but he has never won over a trip this short. Drum Native is sure to have come on for his latest fourth behind Lik Wood Power but that form has since been let down and he is taken on with this in mind. This is less competitive than numbers would suggest and for the winner we return to Lake Imperial.
Pauntley Gofa 14-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led 7th, ridden clear approaching 4 out, driven out flat, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct beating Island of Memories (10-9) by 6l, 7 ran.
Lake Imperial (IRE) 11-4fav (10-3) Raced keenly, made all, steadily drew clear from 8th, eased towards finish, unchallenged, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Dalriath (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Roussea (IRE) 7-2 (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 9th, led approaching 4 out, headed after 3 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Albarino (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Drum Native (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden 10th, weakened quickly 12th, 4th of 6, well behind Lik Wood Power (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Musical Gift 16-1 (11-3) Reminders soon after start, never better than finishing position, 8th of 15, 32l behind Scots Dragoon (10-9) at Hereford 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Always in the rear, 5th of 9, 48l behind The Wicketkeeper (11-2) at Hereford 2m nov chs (4) gf in Oct.
Working Late 22-1 (9-11) Chased leader to 6th, ridden and struggling 9th, no impression when hampered 4 out, 5th of 8, 21l behind Albarino (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Padre Nostro (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) In rear when badly hampered 6th, mistake 9th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Marked Man (10-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct, 14 ran.
