tracked leader, effort 3 out, soon challenged, ridden to lead flat, ran on well final 100 yards
chased leaders in 3rd and last, not fluent 9th, struggling and reminders before next, no chance from 4 out, tailed off
led, driven and 1 length advantage when hit 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, not pace of winner final 100 yards
BLACK THUNDER has taken well to fences and was always going well when scoring at Haydock last month. He pulled readily clear of many Clouds and today's rival Shotgun Paddy and there seems no reason why Emma Lavelle's charge will reverse the form here, despite re-opposing on slightly better terms. Seymour Eric looks a chaser in the making and will relish conditions. He'll be winning soon but maybe not today. Buachaill Alainn was well beaten at Bangor after winning at Worcester and is likely to come up short at this level.
Black Thunder (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4out, led before next, forged clear approaching last, ridden out, ran on strongly, won at Haydock 2m 7f nov chs (2) sft in Nov beating Many Clouds (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Buachaill Alainn (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, pushed along 6th, soon lost place, under pressure 10th, stayed on after 2 out, never a threat, 4th of 5, 20l behind Mendip Express (11-4) at Bangor 3m nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
Shotgun Paddy (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Tracked leader, blundered 11th, pushed along 4 out, mistake 2 out, faded, 3rd of 4, 17l behind Black Thunder (11-7) at Haydock 2m 7f nov chs (2) sft in Nov.
Seymour Eric 5-6fav (11-2) Led, reminder after 9th, blundered and headed 13th, every chance 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Indian Castle (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
