off the pace in 5th place, hit 5th, jumped slowly and in last pair next, behind and struggling 7th, tailed off next, left remote 4th and slightly hampered last
chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, lost remote 3rd next, left in that position at the last
jumped boldly, tracked leader until led 3rd (water) and maintained strong pace, clear 4 out, stayed on strongly
held up off the pace in 5th, closer approaching 4 out, weakened before next where mistake and stumbled
led in start, led until 3rd (water), chased winner until 9th, outpaced before next, ridden and went 3rd 3 out, left remote 2nd at the last
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, well held and no chance with winner from 4 out, fell last
held up off the pace in 6th, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 3 out
This looks a really competitive novices’ handicap with all bar two of the seven runners having already run over fences. French import Dustin Des Mottes is having a first run in this country so is something of an unknown quantity but Delire D'Estruval beat an above-average field at Carlisle and Al Shahir looked in need of the run when fourth at the same track. The lightly-raced KUPATANA jumped really well when scoring at Kempton and has improved markedly for the fitting of headgear. He has the pace to cope with a slight drop in distance and looks the one to be on as easy Fakenham winner Knocknanuss never seems to run two races alike. A lack of experience and race-fitness may count against Clondaw Castle and The Last Day.
Delire D'Estruval (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Jumped well, led until 8th chased leader, ridden between last 2, upsides last, stayed on gamely run-in, led and in command close home, won at Carlisle 2m (3) gd in Oct beating Stowaway Magic (11-2) by nk, 5 ran.
Dustin Des Mottes (FR) (10-7) won at Clairefontaine 2m 2f sft in Jun beating Daddy Banbou (11-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Knocknanuss (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Took keen hold, made all, left clear 8th, unchallenged, won at Fakenham 2m (3) gd in Oct beating Jaisalmer (11-2) by 21l, 5 ran.
Clondaw Castle (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders on outside, not much room before 2 out, never on terms, weakened before last, 7th of 11, 32l behind Remiluc (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Kupatana (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Jumped well, mostly tracked leader, led 8th, in command when slight peck 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Windspiel (10-7) by 5l, 10 ran.
The Last Day (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-7) Made all, clear from 2 out, easily, won at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Mar beating Another Emotion (11-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Al Shahir (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) In touch, chased leaders 4 out, effort after next, no extra approaching last, 4th of 13, 11 3/4l behind Count Meribel (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
