held up in rear, headway 10th, challenged winner approaching 2 out, held towards finish
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 10th, struggling from 11th, no chance from 4 out, mistake 2 out
in touch, not fluent 1st, hit 3rd, mistake and dropped rear 6th, blundered 10th and soon last, jumping went to pieces, continued well behind
held up, pushed along after 9th, some headway 13th, no further progress, not fluent 4 out
held up, headway 7th, went 2nd approaching 13th until 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden out
chased leader, mistake 3rd, mistake 10th, weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders, reminders after 9th, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
led, not fluent 4th or 12th, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened between last 2, jumped right last
Take The Stand, a runner up to Kicking King in the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup, is not as good as he once was and while he has won on a soft surface before, Peter Bowen's gelding is undoubtedly better on a faster surface so he looks best watched here in a race taken to go to MENCHIKOV, who gets the verdict ahead of Nykel. The last mentioned has failed to complete in his last three starts under rules but ran encouraging in a recent outing in a point-to-point and he has to be considered on the pick of his form on his first start in a hunter chase. You Do The Math has a bit to find with Take The Stand on their running at Cheltenham when last seen in May but Charlie Longsdon's gelding will be more suited to the underfoot conditions than Peter Bowen's runner so he has to be respected. Yann's is capable and comes here fit form a recent start between the flags but he does need to improve on the balance of his form to trouble Menchikov. Useful when with Martin Todhunter, the nine-year-old regained the winning thread in a point-to-point a month ago and looks worth supporting to follow up back under rules.
Menchikov (FR) 2-1 (12-7) Held up; qcknd to chall 16; led app nxt; stayed on str, won at Point To Point 3m ptp gd beating Network Oscar (12-4) by 6l, 8 ran.
Nykel (FR) 5-1 (12-7) Prom to 14; wknd 3 out, 5th of 16, 26l behind Cappa Bleu (12-0) at Horseheath 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Take The Stand (IRE) 7-2 (10-6) Tracked leaders, struggling when not fluent 15th, soon behind, tailed off, 4th of 6, 43l behind Hermano Cordobes (10-1) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jul.
Yann's (FR) 7-2 (12-7) Hdwy 14; one pce 2 out, 4th of 12, 28l behind Moscow Court (12-0) at Cottenham 3m ptp gf in Dec.
You Do The Math (IRE) 3-1 (11-13) In touch, hit 5th, driven 3 out, chased winner 2 out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Take The Stand (11-13) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in May.
Public Esteem (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Cl up til wknd aft 14; t.o & pulled up in race won by Silver Jack (11-0) at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Quid Pro Quo (FR) 5-2 (12-5) Held up; went 2nd aft 15; wknd qckly 2 out, 2nd of 6, 35l behind Bob Justice (12-5) at Higham 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Star Double (ITY) 3-1 (12-5) Led to 16; nt qckn, 2nd of 7, 20l behind Caveman (12-5) at Ampton 3m ptp gd in Jan.
