Itstimeforapint was a very lucky winner on his debut over fences at Wetherby but it was still a good effort and, with more to come, he should go well. Gibbstown made several mistakes before finishing with a flourish to get up close home at Ayr but more testing conditions would aid her cause. MANSONIEN L'AS was beaten a long way in that latter event but that was his first start since March and the form he had shown earlier would probably be good enough for this so he's given the nod. Herecomesthehollow has had very little experience so did well to finish runner-up to Smart Exit at Chepstow while Dixie Bull would probably have won anyway at Ffos Las, though was fortunate when two rivals came down at the last to leave him clear .
Smart Money (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Prominent until 2nd, mid-division, jumped slowly 5th, closed 13th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 40l behind It's A Steal (11-11) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Itstimeforapint (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, left clear last, won at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec beating Silver Dragon (11-7) by 22l, 7 ran.
Gibbstown (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) In rear, outpaced from 12th, headway before 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, soon chased leader, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy beating Trouble In Paris (10-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Mohi Rahrere (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Led or disputed lead to 11th, lost place before 4 out (usual 5 out), soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Winged Crusader (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Herecomesthehollow (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, pushed along 8th, outpaced 10th, plugged on from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Smart Exit (11-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Mansonien L'as (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 34l behind Gibbstown (11-6) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy.
Dixie Bull (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) In rear, pushed along briefly after 4th, closed 5th, challenged 12th, led before 4 out, ridden and pressed by 2 rivals when jinked right and left clear last, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy beating Armedanddangerous (11-4) by 26l, 6 ran.
Le Grand Chene (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4th, challenged 9th, lost 2nd 3 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 13l behind Crescent Beach (11-5) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Arc Warrior (FR) 22-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, struggling 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Notonebuttwo (9-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Midnight Dove 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, closed before 3rd, lost place and jumped slowly 6th, behind after next, pulled up after 8th, in a race won by Nordic Nymph (10-6) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
