tracked leaders, 2nd 5th, led briefly 8th, 1/2 length down when fell 11th
mostly jumped well, made virtually all, hit 7th, clear 4 out, 2 lengths ahead when slight peck last, driven and came further clear run-in
always last, slightly hampered 5th, driven and struggling after 13th, never a factor, tailed off
tracked leaders in 4th, left 2nd 11th, ridden before 3 out, driven and no impression between last two, 2 lengths down last, kept on same pace and no chance with winner run-in
held up in last pair, left 3rd at 11th, pushed along and no chance with leading duo approaching 4 out, lost poor 3rd post
with winner until slowed badly into 5th and lost place, chased leaders, hampered 11th, never on terms after, went poor 3rd post
Nonrunner
Paul Nicholls has won six of the last nine renewals though five of those already had experience of fences. Arpege D'alene makes his chasing debut today on the back of a win over hurdles at Ascot in February while L'Unique and Warrantor are others attempting fences for the first time. The progressive Long House Hall unseated after a blunder at Cheltenham a fortnight ago and fell again when running loose afterwards but JUNCTION FOURTEEN fared better on his comeback run at Uttoxeter. He made all to beat a previous winner and Emma Lavelle's charge looks to have stronger form than the other recent winners Gentleman Jon and Dragon's Den.
Gentleman Jon 4-1 (11-12) Made all, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Oct beating Polisky (11-12) by 5l, 4 ran.
Junction Fourteen (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Skylander (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Dragon's Den (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Tracked sole rival, led 6th, mistake 3 out, clear before last, comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gf in Oct beating Chase The Wind (11-2) by 13l, 2 ran.
Arpege D'alene (FR) 5-2fav (11-8) Disputed close 3rd, 3rd 4 out, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, rallied on inside before 2 out, driven into 2nd before last, upsides run-in, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final 150 yards, won at Ascot 2m 3f (2) sft in Feb beating Tea For Two (11-8) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Warrantor (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) With leader to 4th, remained in touch, lost place when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Windsor Park (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
L'unique (FR) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, not much room 1st, headway after 7th, lost place 4 out, 13th of 17, dist behind Court Minstrel (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Long House Hall (IRE) 11-8fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 4th, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Oct.
