tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden 2 out, 1 length down and staying on when left clear last
held up, took closer order 7th, mistake 9th, 8 lengths 3rd, staying on when fell 3 out
held up, struggling 8th, left moderate 4th 3 out, never near leaders
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place 7th, soon behind, left remote 3rd last, never on terms
tracked leader, lost place 4 out, soon outpaced, no impression when left 3rd 3 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner
led, ridden after 2 out, 1 length clear, under pressure when fell last
behind when fell 2nd
Chariot Charger showed a decent level of form over hurdles and was not disgraced on his chasing debut when finding just Bensalem too good in a novices' chase at Plumpton so Emma Lavelle's gelding has to be respected but RECIF DE THAIX looked one to keep on the right side of when winning last time and he can score again with the main danger rated as Pocket Aces. Richard Rowe's gelding was leading when falling at the last on his chase debut at Fontwell in October but made amends for that when successful at Folkestone last month and he has to be respected although the penalty for that win last time does make this tougher. Alan King's Cracboumwiz became expensive to follow over hurdles last term but has to be considered on his reappearance and chasing debut in what does not seem the strongest of contests, especially now that the yard is back among the winners. Brendan Powell's Warne's Way showed a decent level of form over hurdles a couple of seasons ago but was well held on his recent return and may now be best watched in a race taken to go to Recif De Thaix. Formerly trained in France but now with Paul Nicholls, the four-year-old looked a decent recruit to the novice chasing ranks when successful at Hereford at the beginning of the month and he can score again.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, held up in 4th, headway into 3rd at 10th, challenged on inner 2 out, led approaching last, drew clear flat, won at Folkestone 2m 5f nov ch 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Vodka Brook (11-1) by 5l, 5 ran.
Chariot Charger (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Held up in close 5th, headway travelling well approaching 4 out, went 2nd from 3 out, challenged on inside 2 out, took narrow lead soon after, mistake last, headed and not pace of winner final 50 yards, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Bensalem (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Coup de Tabac (FR) 15-2 (9-8) Held up in touch and keen, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 25l behind Lake Legend (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Cracboumwiz (FR) 11-10fav (11-7) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway 4th, challenged and hit 2 out, kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Tanks For That (11-2) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Procas de Thaix (FR) 66-1 (10-11) Chased clear leading pair until 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, 31l behind Recif De Thaix (10-8) at Hereford 2m beg chs (3) sft.
Warne's Way (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 42l behind Lie Forrit (9-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Recif De Thaix (FR) 4-6fav (10-8) Led until approaching 2nd, tracked leader, led 3 out, clear from next, easily, won at Hereford 2m beg chs (3) sft beating Songe (11-0) by 13l, 7 ran.
Sally Army 8-1 (10-5) In touch until 6th, never back on terms, 8th of 16, 28l behind Passato (11-6) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
