chased leader until 7th, stayed in close 3rd, hit 14th, driven and one pace approaching last
not jump well in rear, mistake 1st, hit 3rd, blundered 14th, well behind when fell 3 out
led, joined 14th, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging, chance last, unable to quicken run-in
held up in 5th, blundered 12th, switched left and staying on 3l 5th when blundered and fell 4 out
mistakes, raced in close 4th, blundered 6th, hit 12th, ridden when blundered and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, not fluent 12th, upsides 14th, ridden approaching 4 out, narrow lead 2 out, hung left under pressure run-in, stayed on well
THE TOTHER ONE won on this card last season and can complete the feat twelve months on at the main expense of Tartak and Gone To Lunch. The selection started a short price for his chasing debut at Exeter when he managed to see off the challenge of Gone To Lunch who reopposes today. Although 3lb worse off and with less experience, the feeling is that he will confirm those placings and take another step towards Cheltenham and a crack at the Royal and SunAlliance Chase. Today's ground will suit Gone To Lunch if it stays good, whilst Tartak is yet to prove himself on good ground. He was impressive when winning last time and although there is no real reason to doubt his effectiveness on good ground, this is the real acid test. Hold Em is decent sort who should appreciate this longer trip, Ouste's Irish form leaves him with plenty to find, whilst Crescent Island may be left behind late on as he has stamina to prove. A fantastic race, likely to impact the betting for a couple of Cheltenham races, and it is The Tother One who can emerge victorious.
Hold Em (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) In touch, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Breedsbreeze (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft.
Ouste (FR) 25-1 (11-12) In rear, progress from 4 out, 5th 3 out, ridden in 4th before last, 3rd on outer early run-in, kept on well and led close home, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs gd in Sept beating Killenaule Boy (11-12) by a nk, 14 ran.
Tartak (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs beating Tarotino (11-2) by 6l, 8 ran.
The Tother One (IRE) 8-11fav (11-4) Held up, headway after 12th, close 5th approaching 4 out, challenged approaching 2 out, led and edged right approaching last, ridden out, won at Exeter 3m beg chs (3) gs in Oct beating Gone To Lunch (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Crescent Island (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Chased winner, reminders 6th, driven approaching 3 out, mistake and awkward on landing 2 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 4, 31l behind Tatenen (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft.
Gone To Lunch (IRE) 8-15fav (11-2) With leader, led 6th, quickened up 14th, ridden 2 out, comfortably, won at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd beating The Cool Guy (11-2) by 25l, 6 ran.
