ridden from start, in touch in 5th, lost place and dropped to rear before 12th, rallied and stayed on in 5th after 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on to 2nd towards finish, never any chance with winner
towards rear, headway before 12th, chased leading trio next, slow and lost place 15th, never on terms after, poor 8th when refused last
chased leading trio, slow 2nd, went 3rd 10th, ridden and lost 3rd 3 out, soon beaten
in rear, headway approaching 12th, closer order 15th, weakened 18th, stayed on again before last, went modest 5th close home
mid-division, behind when blundered and nearly unseated rider 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 18th
chased leader, led approaching 13th until next, chased leader, blundered 4 out, challenged and every chance 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd before next, weakened and poor 6th when mistake last, tailed off
in rear, slow 4th, not fluent 9th, ridden and struggling 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 16th
led, narrowly headed approaching 13th, led again next, joined 3 out, headed approaching last, no chance with winner from last, weakened to 3rd closing stages
chased leading pair until 10th, stayed in 4th place, lost place after 14th, last pair 4 out, poor 6th when blundered 2 out, stayed on again to modest 4th soon after last
mid-division, hit 6th and next, reminders before 13th, headway to close 4th when blundered 4 out, travelling well before next, went 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly flat, easily
The jury is out on Hennessy sixth Wymott after he was pulled up when favourite at Haydock next time. Neptune Collonges doesn't appear the force of old but Ruby Walsh still prefers him to The Knoxs, who has had jumping problems in the past. Nicky Henderson also has two in the line-up with Barry Geraghty on board Master Of The Hall, who won on his reappearance at Aintree and may still have a bit of scope. Hold On Julio is 3lb out of the handicap but was a prolific winner between the flags and won very easily over C&D on his handicap debut. He may still be on a fair mark but we're taking a gamble that EXMOOR RANGER has turned over a new leaf following his win at Ascot in October. He jumped a lot better that day than previously and a repeat performance here could see defy a 7lb higher mark. The Panama Kid has taken well to fences but this is a tough track at which to try a longer trip for the first time and he has plenty of weight for a novice.
Neptune Collonges (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, effort 4 out, weakened next, stayed on flat, 4th of 12, 9l behind The Minack (11-1) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) sft in Dec.
Master Of The Hall (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leader, mistakes 5th and 13th, led 3 out, ridden 6 lengths clear last, stayed on, won at Aintree 3m 1f Listed chs (1) hvy in Dec beating Tamarinbleu (11-0) by 16l, 4 ran.
Wymott (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Towards rear, never really travelling, lost touch after 12th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Cannington Brook (10-9) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Exmoor Ranger (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, good headway on outside to chase leaders 8th, tracked leader after 3 out until dropped to 3rd soon after 2 out, rallied under pressure last, stayed on to head idling leader final 120 yards, won at Ascot 3m Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Oct beating Razor Royale (10-11) by 1l, 17 ran.
The Panama Kid (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Led to 10th, remained prominent, mistake 12th, chased leader 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure, lost 2nd flat, held final 75 yards, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Lie Forrit (11-1) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
The Knoxs (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Led, mistake 3rd, headed next, tracked leader, lost place 2 out, weakened before last, last of 5, 32l behind Oscar Whisky (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Dec.
Be There In Five (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, mistakes 4th and 9th, lost place approaching 21st, well beaten 23rd, soon pulled up, in a race won by Beshabar (10-4) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 28 ran.
Qhilimar (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, bad mistake and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Bold Ransom (10-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec, 6 ran.
Any Currency (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Prominent, not fluent 2nd or 5th, lost place approaching 12th, mistake 14th, behind 17th, pulled up after, in a race won by Le Beau Bai (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec, 20 ran.
Hold On Julio (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders 8th, went 2nd 12th, challenged and upsides when hit 3 out, chased leader, driven to close before last, led last, soon drew well clear, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Earth Planet (10-12) by 11l, 9 ran.
