Samenerve finally opened his account over fences at Towcester last time. It took him 14 attempts to do so, however, and he's worth taking on off a 10lb higher mark. In contrast, BALLYWATT was making his chasing debut when beaten less than a length in third at Bangor back in May. A chance is taken he can build on that here and he's preferred to Trojan Sun, third at Ludlow last month before disappointing at Bangor last time. For The Staff is another making hard work of landing that elusive first win over fences and the remainder arrive out of sorts.
Samenerve (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) Chased leader, challenged and bumped 4 out, upsides and bumped again next, soon led and came clear, easily, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) gs beating Topaze Collonges (11-7) by 7l, 7 ran.
Ballywatt (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner 2 out, driven to lead narrowly flat, headed and lost 2 places near finish, 3rd of 4, 1/2l behind Plein Pouvoir (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in May.
Trojan Sun 11-1 (11-3) Prominent, 4th and weakening when mistake 2 out, left 3rd last, 3rd of 15, 25l behind Balbriggan (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) gs in Oct.
Fidelor (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division on outside, jumped left at times and not always fluent, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Balbriggan (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) gs in Oct.
Whistling Senator (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Soon tracking leaders, reminder after 8th, outpaced 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Bally Gunner (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
For The Staff (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Mainly jumped well, led, headed 4 out, ridden and blundered 3 out, held soon after, no chance with easy winner, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Desperate Dex (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Caulfields Venture (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Held up behind, blundered 5 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Safran De Cotte (11-3) at Stratford 2m 7f Beginners Chase (0-125) (4yo+) (3) sft, 11 ran.
