always prominent, led before 4 out, driven 2 out, all out (2 fences omitted)
tracked leaders, outpaced 5 out, stayed on into 2nd after next, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on under pressure closing stages
in rear, headway when mistake 4 out, hampered and unseated rider next
led until approaching 4 out, fell next
keen in touch, blundered badly 4th and 5th, soon pulled up
held up, slow 3rd, headway 5 out, weakened after next, left in remote 3rd 3 out, tailed off
Le Frank won easily enough at Hexham last time and the runner-up has subsequently won but he has a 10lb hike in the weights and tougher opposition to contend with here and THE DUBAI WAY is preferred. The latter was only beaten four lengths in a more competitive chase than this at Chepstow last month and Harry Whittington’s charge is taken to open his account over fences today. Treshnish also drops in class though has been well beaten in all three outings over the larger obstacles while maiden hurdle winner Temple Man may prove best of the rest on his chasing debut.
Treshnish (FR) 28-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, lost touch from 5 out, never invloved, last of 4, 21 3/4l behind Mr Whipped (11-2) at Haydock 2m 5f (2) hvy in Dec.
The Dubai Way (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Not much room and jumped right 1st, held up, headway before 5 out, every chance 3 out, jumped right 2 out, stayed on same pace last, 5th of 16, 4l behind Awake At Midnight (11-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Ca Le Ferra (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Tended to jump left, led, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 11, 20 3/4l behind Buster Valentine (11-8) at Ayr 2m mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Le Frank (IRE) 9-5fav (11-9) Tracked leader until 7 out, headway after 2 out, led before last, soon clear, won at Hexham 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Echo Express (11-9) by 8l, 6 ran.
Temple Man 9-1 (11-5) Behind, towards rear when fell 4 out, at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Mr Kit Cat 6-1 (11-11) Mid-division, hit 5th, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up after 5 out, at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gf in Oct.
