close up, led 8th to 10th, weaknened 3 out
in touch, reminders 7th, soon lost place, no danger after
not fluent, in touch, led 10th, headed 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, hit 10th, soon outpaced, never on terms
held up, headway and in touch 3 out, effort next, one pace
held to 8th, chased leaders until weakened 5 out
in touch, pushed along 7th, ridden 5 out, weakened next
held up, steady headway 10th, led 3 out, blundered next, ridden out
behind, headway 3 out, kept on, never nearer
not fluent in mid-division, outpaced 10th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace
not fluent in mid-division, lost place and behind when fell 8th
blundered 1st, always behind
in touch, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on
chased leaders, led 4 out, soon ridden, headed and 3 lengths 3rd when fell next
Naunton Brook, Idle Talk, Bob Bob Bobbin and Leading Man are a handful against the field in a competitive renewal of this race and the narrow vote is given to Idle Talk. The selection has plenty of ability and in the hope that he gets round he looks the one to be on as he looks well weighted on his best form. Naunton Brook rates the main danger as he beat Two Miles west last time out. However, that rival is weighted to gain his revenge here and he looks opposable on that basis. Bob Bob Bobbin has the ability to win off this mark but he dropped out tamely on his latest starts so he can not be put forward with much confidence. Leading Man fell at the first in the Beecher chase and if his confidence has not been effected he would have definite place claims. Irish Wolf is game and consistent and is sure to run his race while Kandjar d'Allier is another with place claims if his jumping holds up but for the winner we are happy to return to Idle Talk.
Idle Talk (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked winner, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened from last, 2nd of 7, 11l behind New Alco (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f Grad Ch (2) gd in Nov.
Naunton Brook 18-1 (11-7) Made all, mistake last, held on well towards finish, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov beating Two Miles West (10-9) by a nk, 16 ran.
Bob Bob Bobbin 3-1fav (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, gradually faded, 6th of 10, 32l behind Sir Rembrandt (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Nov.
Kandjar d'Allier (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Towards rear when fell at the 3rd in race won by Mr Pointment (11-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 19 ran.
Standin Obligation (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leader, weakened 11th, beaten when pulled up 4 out in race won by Aces Four (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
The Outlier (IRE) 125-1 (10-5) Led to 5th, remained prominent, losing place when blundered unseated rider 19th unseated rider at the 20th in race won by Silver Birch (10-6) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
King Killone (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Prominent when fell at the 4th in race won by Mr Pointment (11-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 19 ran.
Harmony Brig (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and steady progress 3 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders, 6th of 19, 6l behind Knowhere (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Irish Wolf (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, weakening when blundered last, 4th of 8, 8l behind Abragante (10-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov.
Leading Man (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (10-1) Mid-division fell in race won by Mr Pointment (11-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 19 ran.
Royal Rosa (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner 3 out to last, no extra run-in, 5th of 16, 17l behind Naunton Brook (11-7) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Two Miles West (IRE) 3-1fav (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 13th, pushed along after 5 out, ridden after next, stayed on to go 2nd last, kept on under pressure run-in, 2nd of 16, nk behind Naunton Brook (11-7) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Silver Sedge (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened from 8th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Accordello (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Aleron (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden and blundered 3 out, led approaching last, kept on, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating The Dark Lord (11-9) by 2l, 5 ran.
Undeniable 8-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, lost place 11th, 4th of 7, well behind Kerry Lads (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
