led until jumped right and unseated rider 3rd
never fluent, raced in 3rd, left in 2nd place 3rd, never on terms with winner after, losing touch when slight peck 8th, tailed off
keen and mostly jumped well, tracked leader until left in lead 3rd, soon clear, hit 2 out, unchallenged
NonRunner
Winning hurdler RATHER BE successfully tackled the larger obstacles when scoring easily at Towcester on his chasing bow. Nicky Henderson’s charge will likely start at prohibitive odds in this company as he’s well clear of San Pedro De Senam at the weights. The latter looks the main threat having placed over fences the last twice without threatening the winner while Gregarious ran well at Sandown last time and is preferred to chasing newcomer Hab Sab.
Rather Be (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Made all, driven 2 out, clear last, very easily, won at Towcester 2m (3) gs in Dec beating War Sound (11-0) by 19l, 4 ran.
Gregarious (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, effort 2 out, no impression after, 4th of 8, 4l behind Workbench (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
San Pedro De Senam (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Close up on outside, driven and outpaced by front pair after 3 out, no chance in clear 3rd from next, 3rd of 4, 33l behind Optimus Prime (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec.
Hab Sab (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, weakened from next, 9th of 11, dist behind Battle Of Ideas (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
