chased leaders, led 10th, headed before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened and lost 2nd before last
with leaders, pecked and unseated rider 8th
in rear, pushed along before 9th, went 2nd before 10th, challenged 13th, led before 3 out, clear before and mistake last, kept on and headed towards finish
with leaders, blundered 9th, soon lost place and reminders, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led, headed 10th, soon pushed along, reminders before and weakened 13th, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, hampered 9th, went 3rd from 13th, ridden before 2 out, chased leader before last, kept on to lead towards finish
Sparkling Tara was placed a couple of times in the autumn but will probably need this. Gin Cobbler's recent victory came against novice hunters while Hawaii Klass has a bit to find if he is overturn Carlisle running with Tutchec. TOPLANDER will hopefully have learned a bit from his chasing bow at Kelso, where he ran well for a long way. He gets a tentative vote at the likely odds as Smart Act's confidence may have suffered following a heavy fall at Catterick.
Gin Cobbler 6-1 (11-9) Prominent, led before 3 out, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gs beating Soleil D'avril (11-7) by 19l, 12 ran.
Sparkling Tara 9-4fav (11-6) Reminder just after start, in rear, behind when not fluent 8th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Alpha One (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
Hawaii Klass 33-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, reminders before 4 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 22l behind Oil Burner (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Toplander (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) With leader, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 34l behind Night In Milan (11-7) at Kelso 2m 7f nov chs (4) gs.
Smart Act (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Led most of the way until fell 13th, in a race won by Blazing Bull (10-0) at Catterick 3m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Badgers Retreat 25-1 (11-0) In rear, mistake 2nd and 5th, weakened from 9th, pulled up after 5 out, in a race won by Blazing Bull (10-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 13 ran.
Tutchec (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 8th, headed narrowly after 4 out, every chance when not fluent 2 out, ridden to lead again narrowly between last 2, headed last, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind My Friend George (10-6) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
