held up on outside, jumped slowly 4th, hit 11th, mistakes 13th, 14th and 15th, in touch when hit 4 out, blundered and lost touch next
tracked leader, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on
held up on inside, closed before 6th, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on well, driven out
led, not fluent 10th, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra flat
held up, blundered badly 4th, behind after until pulled up before 7th
tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, not fluent and no extra from next
There may only be six entries in this opener but it's a potentially informative contest. Paul Nicholls has won four of the last seven renewals and relies this year on Vicente, who has won three of his four starts over the larger obstacles including one over these fences. But he has to give 3lb to Onenightinvienna, who beat Fletchers Flyer at Exeter on his chasing bow, and 8lb to the others who are all capable of better. Blaklion isn't very big but was a useful staying hurdler who was still going well when falling behind Vicente here last month. MINELLA ROCCO was last of three when odds-on at Haydock three weeks ago and a couple of lengths behind second Private Malone. But he was closing at the finish and the extra yardage here is in his favour. He'll have improved markedly for the experience and can turn the tables and land this.
Vicente (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders on outside, mistake and lost place 12th, not fluent 15th, closed from 4 out, hit 3 out and left 2nd, challenged 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m (2) gs in Nov beating Un Temps Pour Tout (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Onenightinvienna (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, challenged from 3 out, ridden to lead run-in, held on well towards finish, won at Exeter 3m (3) hvy in Nov beating Fletchers Flyer (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Blaklion 4-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 15th, every chance when fell 3 out, at Cheltenham 3m (2) gs in Nov.
Fletchers Flyer (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Led, pressed from 3 out, ridden and headed run-in, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Onenightinvienna (11-0) at Exeter 3m (3) hvy in Nov.
Minella Rocco (IRE) 4-6fav (11-2) Tracked leading pair, closed 10th, ridden and no impression 4 out, all of 6 lengths down last, rallied towards finish, last of 3, 2l behind Silsol (11-7) at Haydock 2m 6f (2) sft in Nov.
Private Malone (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Led, joined 13th, headed narrowly 4 out, ridden 2 out, every chance next, rallied to lead again flat, headed final strides, 2nd of 3, shd behind Silsol (11-7) at Haydock 2m 6f (2) sft in Nov.
