chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, 4th and outpaced before next
raced wide chasing leaders, went left and bumped rival 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
never closer than mid-division, weakening when landed awkwardly 4 out, tailed off
raced wide tracking leader, led 4th, bit awkward 2 out, good jump to assert last, came easily clear run-in
mid-division, losing place when jumped slowly 6th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
prominent early, mistake and bumped 3rd, soon lost place and in rear, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
always towards rear, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
raced keenly, held up towards rear, steady headway out wide 4 out, went 3rd after 3 out, staying on same pace and no impression when hit next and slight stumble on landing
raced on inside, led until 4th, chased winner, every chance 3 out, bit awkward next, well held last, kept on well for clear 2nd
mid-division, outpaced and struggling before 3 out, plugged on from next
soon chasing leaders on inside, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
ILIKO D’OLIVATE may well have won at Compiegne last March had he not wandered off a straight line in the closing stages and he should make a winning start for Paul Nicholls. The champion trainer also saddles Pleasant Man, who was a decent sort on the Flat but has struggled to come to terms with hurdling. A similar comment applies to point-to-point and bumper winner Tango Arumba while Way Out is tackling obstacles for the first time.
Bertie Wooster (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, steady headway before 3 out, asked for effort before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra from last, 6th of 15, 22 1/2l behind Doyen Star (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Court Cian (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Led 6 til hdd & fell 3 out, at Larkhill 2m 4f mdn gd in Nov.
Harbour Shore (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) In rear, ridden 3f out, no impression from 2f out, 9th of 13, 13 1/4l behind Spirits Bay (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Horizon D'or (FR) 150-1 (11-0) Always behind and never a factor, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Authorised Speed (11-5) at Sandown 2m (2) sft in Dec.
Iliko D'olivate (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Led 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on strongly after last, 2nd of 12, shd behind Irish Bar (11-4) at Compiegne 2m 1f hvy in Mar.
Instant Gambler (IRE) 250-1 (11-0) Off the pace towards rear, jumped slowly 5th, never on terms, tailed off, 10th of 14, dist behind Rubaud (11-7) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Dec.
Kalibrate (IRE) 300-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 14th of 15, dist behind Pembroke (11-6) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Mr Snow Way (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Close up, ridden before 2 out, no extra thereafter, 9th of 15, 33l behind Doyen Star (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Pleasant Man 13-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, driven after 2 out, 4th and no extra last, 6th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Strong Leader (11-6) at Aintree 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec.
Way Out (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed turning for home, ridden and weakened before 2f out, 10th of 17, 25 1/2l behind Golden Ace (10-7) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gs in Dec.
Faerie Cutlass 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, no impression after, 7th of 16, 13l behind Spring Note (11-0) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Tango Arumba (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, plugged on one pace, 6th of 15, 37 3/4l behind Saint Davy (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
