chased leaders, went 2nd 8th until 10th, driven and outpaced in 3rd before 3 out, no extra in 4th next
chased leaders, challenged on inside in 2nd and blundered 10th, ridden before 2 out, soon held and no chance with winner
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 8th, tailed off
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway and in touch 8th, ridden next, soon beaten, tailed off
raced wide, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 9th, tailed off
chased leader, led 3rd until 5th, led again 7th, clear from 2 out, ridden out
led until 3rd, led again 5th until hit 7th, lost 2nd next, driven in 4th 3 out, went poor 3rd and blundered next
always in rear, and several slow jumps, tailed off 8th, pulled up next
A competitive contest for the time of year that has attracted some potentially decent recruits to the chasing ranks. Caravel and Rebel Dancer were best of these over timber and obviously much will depend upon the fluency with which they take to their new discipline. Preference is for the latter but the vote is awarded to SPECIAL ACCOUNT for Jeremy Scott. He hacked up in a modest maiden hurdle last time but is very experienced between the flags with seven victories and can score for the first time over regulation fences. Merrion Square is interesting and lightly-raced for Paul Nicholls with Deb's Dasher and Art Broker also worthy of attention in an attractive affair.
Art Broker (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Held up in last pair, not fluent 4 out, hit 2 out, ridden in 3rd approaching last, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 14l behind Ixora (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (4) gd in May.
Caravel (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Solaras Exhibition (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jun.
Deb's Dasher 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 12th, no extra 2 out, left 3rd when hampered last, 3rd of 10, 25l behind Johnny's Way (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Edlomond (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, hampered 4th, went 2nd next, ridden after 3 out, led flat, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (5) gd in Jun beating Enroller (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
For Sahkey Moony (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Led until after 2nd, chased leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 12, 44l behind Special Account (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jun.
Merrion Square (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Took keen hold, close 5th tracking leaders, went 3rd 10th, stayed on to 2nd before 2 out, lost 2nd blundered and weakened quickly from 2 out, 6th of 8, 47l behind The Black Baron (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (5) gs in Jan.
Rebel Dancer (FR) 4-1fav (11-12) Behind, steady headway and not much room after 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 38l behind Fashionable Gal (10-8) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
Sweet Willow 66-1 (10-4) In touch on outside, lost place 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off 4 out, 8th of 9, well behind Samtheman (10-4) at Worcester 2m sell hdl (5) sft.
Special Account (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up in rear, steady headway on inside before 7th, travelling well in 4th before 2 out, led 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jun beating Keenes Day (11-0) by 4l, 12 ran.
