led, jumping well, challenged when fell 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake throughout, hampered 3 out, left in 2nd, stayed on well not reach winner
tracked leader, slow 2nd, soon in touch, pushed along 5 out, every chance when fell 3 out
soon tracking leader, left in lead 3 out, pushed clear
behind, never jumped well, detached with the circuit to go, 15 lengths adrift when left in remote 3rd 3 out, stayed on well flat
Hobbs Hill should take all the beating here although Lead On must be accorded respect. Charlie Egerton's gelding has looked a natural over fences this season and is one of the most exciting novices' to have emerged. He goes well fresh so his absence is of no concern and he has trip and ground to suit. He's unraced at this track but there's every reason to believe that it could play to his strengths and he can confirm his status as a top-class performer. Lead On has improved massively since the selection gave him weight and a twenty two length beating at Newbury in November. It's easy enough to pick holes in his form though as Predateur was only 2 lengths adrift of him at Cheltenham last time and that one's done nothing for the form. Pur De Sivola could be interesting as he looks to be progressing but he has a mountain to climb on the book. Oslot and Pancake ran well enough on their chase bows without doing enough to put them in the picture today; they should gain some useful experience and a bit of prize money with clear rounds. Hobbs Hill sets the standard and can preserve his unbeaten record.
Hobbs Hill 2-11fav (11-6) Made all, stayed on strongly from 2 out, won at Ascot 2m 3f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gf in Dec beating Battlecry (11-0) by 8l, 4 ran.
Lead On (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 4th, headed approaching 8th, led again 12th, jumped right 4 out, ridden last, ran on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan beating Predateur (10-9) by 2l, 5 ran.
Pur De Sivola (FR) 11-4 (10-13) In touch, driven along 6th, headway 4 out, led approaching 3 out, kept on strongly, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs (2) gs in Jan beating Gentle John (10-10) by 14l, 6 ran.
Oslot (FR) 4-6fav (11-0) Close up, chased leaders 11th, every chance 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan beating Ruairi (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Pancake (FR) 5-2 (10-10) Not fluent, chased winner to 3rd, blundered 9th, beaten when not fluent 2 out, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Marodima (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
