mid-division, reminders 5th, hit 7th, struggling when mistake 10th and 11th, remained in touch until weakened after 3 out
chased leaders until 7th, soon behind, tailed off
raced freely with leader, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, beaten when hit last
led, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra
held up, not fluent 5th, blundered 11th, soon ridden, weakened after 4 out
held up last, good headway after 4 out, shaken up to lead approaching last, ran on well
chased leaders, mistake 10th, ridden after 4 out, hit next, 5th and held when blundered 2 out
chased leaders until jumped badly left from 10th, no chance from 3 out
in touch, headway 8th, mistake 10th, carried left next 2, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
always in rear, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out
BOOMSHAKALAKA was pulled up in better races than this in his last two starts last term but Nicky Henderson's gelding may be worth chancing to reproduce earlier form on his reappearance and he gets the vote ahead of Gaelic Flight and Et Maintenant. Emma Lavelle's gelding showed improved form when landing a handicap chase at Huntingdon when last seen in October and, although he has a career high mark to overcome today, he has to be respected. Alan King's Penzance is not as good as he once was and has yet to prove that he stays this far so he looks best watched, while Lidjo De Rouge may struggle to defy the penalty incurred for his win at Fontwell last time. Gary Moore's Idris is only 2lbs higher than when scoring at Sandown on his most recent start but that was back in April last year and he may be best watched on his first start since then. Gaelic Flight has claims but has been raised 7lbs for his win at Southwell last time and preference is for Boomshakalaka.
Penzance 14-1 (11-1) In touch, blundered 7th, one-paced from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Briareus (11-8) at Kempton 2m Grad Ch (2) gs.
Black Hills 13-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, blundered 13th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Creinch (9-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 10 ran.
Boomshakalaka (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, lost place 7 out, weakened and tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Scotsirish (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov hcp chs gd in Apr, 24 ran.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Handy in main group, chasing leaders before 2 out, soon beaten, 8th of 17, 39l behind Ouzbeck (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Idris (GER) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden 6th, left 3rd at 7th, went 2nd 3 out, led soon after 2 out, driven out flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr '07 beating Art Virginia (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Laskari (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, blundered 10th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Spirit of New York (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun, 12 ran.
Et Maintenant (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Always prominent, led after 5th, headed 9th, chased leader, not fluent 10th, led and not fluent last, soon ridden and hung right, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct beating Bonchester Bridge (11-12) by 3l, 10 r.
Gaelic Flight (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Led, headed approaching 3rd, led 4th to 6th, remained prominent, led after 4 out, ridden out flat, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct beating King Troy (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lidjo De Rouge (FR) 15-2 (10-8) Mid-division, steady headway to track leader 10th, led 4 out, in command approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd beating Launde (11-11) by 9l, 12 ran.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up rear, going well when fell at the 10th in race won by Oracle des Mottes (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft, 8 ran.
