chased leaders, pressing for 2nd from 4 out, no impression on winner, weakened last
tracked leader, challenged 6th, not fluent next, led 9th, 3 lengths clear 3 out, further clear flat, eased towards finish
held up in rear, mistake 5th, headway approaching 4 out, went 3rd before last, one pace and no impression
tracked leaders, lost place before 6th, headway before 4 out, went 2nd next, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace
led, jumped slowly 3rd and 8th, headed 9th, not fluent not fluent 10th, disputing 3 lengths 2nd when fell 3 out
in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 6th, lost place before 4 out, soon weakened, behind when hampered next, pulled up before 2 out
Vertueux, who has been in good form on the Flat, was beaten a distance in this a year ago on only his second start over the bigger obstacles and hasn't faced them subsequently. Bally Gunner, who is 5lb lower than his only victory over fences, looked on the way back to something like form at Fontwell and his rider's claim will help. One For The Boss went up an astonishing 13lb for scoring at Ffos Las in May and is even higher after a fair run at Worcester last month while Khazium has yet to prove he stays this far. LITTLE JIMMY looks the safest option as he's only 1lb higher than his victory at Stratford in March and looked ready to win again soon at Ffos Las three weeks ago.
Bally Gunner 8-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, led before 4 out, pushed along before next, ridden and joined last, headed and stayed on same pace run in, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Osmosia (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
One For The Boss (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, challenging when mistake next, driven after 2 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 5l behind No Through Road (10-1) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Oct.
Little Jimmy 2-1fav (10-0) Not fluent 1st, chased leading trio, headway in 3rd approaching 4 out, led 3 out, mistake and headed last, kept on same pace flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Humbel Ben (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Khazium (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Held up, not fluent 6th or 7th, blundered 3 out, went 4th next, never on terms, 4th of 8, 19l behind Dance Floor King (11-8) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Vertueux (FR) 8-1 (10-3) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, kept challenging, led again flat, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf in Oct beating Kalimantan (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Chapel House 16-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, 5th and struggling 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Asian Prince (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
