tracked leading pair, challenged 10th, narrowly lead next, hit 13th, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no chance with winner, hit last
hit 1st, led to 2nd, tracked leader, until blundered 4th, handy, chased leader again 16th, hanging left but led approaching 2 out, soon in command, continued to edge left, driven right out
led 2nd, narrowly headed 11th, hit 12th, outpaced 17th, behind and no chance when hit 3 out, soon pulled up and dismounted
chased leaders, mistake 6th, ridden 15th, soon struggling, no chance when blundered 3 out, went modest 3rd after next
mistakes, close up, pecked 9th, blundered 12th, not fluent 14th and next, ridden 17th, soon no chance with leaders
mistake 1st, soon tailed off, detached when pulled up after 11th
Mobaasher got his nose in front at Southwell but remains an awkward-looking ride and INCHIDALY ROCK looks the one to be on here, while Zemsky and Hey Big Spender look dangers. The last-named was 14 lengths adrift of the selection when the pair met at Exeter last month, but then went on to frank the form of the race by winning comfortably enough at Newbury. Both horses act on the ground, although Colin Tizzard's runner clearly has a bit to find with Inchidaly Rock, who is very likely to improve himself. Zemsky won a couple of staying novices' hurdles in the spring, earning a rating of 132 in that sphere. He made a pleasing debut at Ascot when tried over fences last month, but this step up in trip will be very much in his favour, and with improvement very much on the cards he looks a serious threat. Kanpai is not dismissed lightly, as he has some useful form and acts on the ground, but he will probably find a couple too good and one of them can be Inchidaly Rock.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up early but soon in touch, headway to chase leaders 9th, 2nd 12th, not fluent next, led 2 out, idle flat, driven out and kept on, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov beating Fistral Beach (11-2) by 4l, 14 ran.
Inchidaly Rock (IRE) 8-13fav (10-12) Led until approaching 4th, remained prominent, led approaching 4 out, soon in command, jumped right and not fluent 3 out, jumped right 2 out, stayed on well, won at Exeter 3m nov stks (3) sft in Nov beating Hey Big Spender (10-12) by 14l, 8 ran.
Kanpai (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Always last, ridden and beaten when hit 3 out, last of 3, 12l behind Pettifour (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft in Nov.
Mobaasher (USA) 8-13fav (11-1) Held up in touch, headway after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led approaching last, shaken up flat, kept on well, won at Southwell 3m beg chs (3) gd beating Leac An Scail (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Zemsky (IRE) 15-8 (11-1) Held up, mistake 2nd, took closer order 7th, tracked leader 3 out, led next, headed narrowly last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Awesome George (10-12) at Ascot 2m 5f beg chs (3) gd in Nov.
Ringsend Rose (IRE) 100-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, weakened approaching 4 out, blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Great Endeavour (10-12) at Towcester 2m 6f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov, 4 ran.
