tracked leader and mistakes, lost place 7th
tracked leaders, chased winner from 4 out, weakened approaching last
in rear and mistakes, jumped left 2nd, brief effort on bend approaching 4 out
tracked leader, slipped 5th (water), ridden 4 out, one pace
towards rear and mistakes, headway 6th to go in touch, weakened 2 out
in rear, mistake 2nd, pulled up soon after
behind from 4th, lost touch 9th
in rear and mistake 1st, headway 6th, ridden and hampered and not clear run on bend approaching 4 out, one pace
in touch, weakened 7th, soon behind
led, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened
Craven could provide the answer here, and he is selected ahead of Kingkohler and High Chimes. Craven was a decent hurdler with Nicky Henderson and, much as he was pulled up on his chasing debut for Paul Nicholls, he is surely better than that and we will take that view. Kingkohler's second to the classy Lennon last time reads well and he is respected, while High Chimes looked very progressive in his younger days and his trainer can certainly bring them back after a layoff so do not be surprised if he goes well. French import Swing Bill needs to build on his two chasing efforts over here, although that is not ruled out, while Rehearsal was capable over hurdles and looks best of the rest. With Ian Williams' horses not sparkling at present, maybe Livingonaknifedge should be watched with, once again, Craven being the selection.
Battlefield 50-1 (11-9) Led and hit 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, headed and hampered 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 17, 27l behind Anshabil (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Craven (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-6) Behind, struggling from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Oedipe (10-2) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
High Chimes (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led and mistake 4 out, narrowly headed when fell 3 out in race won by Afrad (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Kingkohler (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Chased winner and keen, blundered 7th, outpaced 4 out, kept on and no impression on winner from 3 out, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Lennon (11-12) at Catterick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, chased winner 8th to after 5 out, 2 lengths 3rd when fell 4 out in race won by Royal Rosa (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (2) sft in Dec, 3 ran.
Mapilut du Moulin (FR) 40-1 (10-11) Held up rear, headway approaching 6th to dispute lead, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 10, 46l behind Double Dizzy (11-1) at Exeter 2m 6f amt nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Rehearsal 6-1 (11-11) Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 12, 6l behind Classic Event (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Supreme Marque (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, ridden 7th, weakened next, 8th of 12, well behind Bob Bites Back (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Swing Bill (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Made most, jumped left 3 out and soon headed, blundered and weakened quickly 2 out, soon eased, 4th of 6, 34l behind Royal Shakespeare (11-2) at Kempton 2m nov chs (2) gs.
Thyne Supreme (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Always behind, lost touch from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Norton Sapphire (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft, 12 ran.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Led, ridden, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 16, 16l behind Tora Petcha (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
