led into start, held up in 3rd, left 2nd 12th, soon challenging, led 2 out, driven out
tracked leader, mistake 11th, challenging when left in lead 12th, ridden after 3 out, headed next, still every chance last, held towards finish
led, reminder after 7th, jumped right and mistake 9th jumped right and ridden from next, bad mistake and headed 12th, no chance and well behind after
Nonrunner
THE MINACK looks well up to conceding weight all round here. A smart novice hurdler last season, the seven-year-old readily accounted for previous winner Bouggler at Wincanton earlier this month and the third, Rougham, franked the form at Ascot last Saturday. Balzaccio has been quite highly tried over fences so far but has generally acquitted himself well and could give Paul Nicholls' charge something to think about in receipt of 6lb. He's preferred to Lord Generous, who just hasn't taken to the larger obstacles, and Canni Thinkaar, who looks out of his depth.
The Minack (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Disputed 2nd, challenged 4 out, soon led narrowly, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft beating Bouggler (11-4) by 4l, 5 ran.
Balzaccio (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, under pressure in modest 4th after 10th, no chance with leading trio, 4th of 9, 19l behind Ghizao (11-10) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Lord Generous 12-1 (11-0) Pressed leader, not fluent 8th, lost 2nd next, ridden after 11th, lost touch before 13th, 3rd of 5, well behind Peveril (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chase (5) hvy.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Mistakes, towards rear, mistake 8th, blundered and rear 11th, lost touch and pulled up before next, in a race won by Peplum (11-11) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 10 ran.
