tracked leader until 3rd, jumped right and not fluent next, lost place 8th, outpaced after 4 out, well held before 2 out
prominent when mistake 1st and sprawled on landing, held up, outpaced by leaders from 4 out, no impression
led, sometimes jumped right, headed 9th, not fluent 3 out when leader was drawing clear, closed last, edged right flat, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up, last 4th, jumped slowly 6th, not fluent 8th, outpaced after 4 out, well held before 2 out
held up behind leaders, pecked slightly 3rd, went 2nd 7th, led 9th, clear 3 out until hit last, driven and headed towards finish
tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced by front pair after next and no impression
One or two potentially useful novices face the starter in this and the vote goes to ZAYNAR, who was much the best of these over hurdles. He became a little disappointing over the smaller obstacles last season for Nicky Henderson but a switch of stables may rekindle his enthusiasm and he certainly has the size to make a chaser. Toubab is another interesting recruit from hurdling and finished third in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in January, while Lancetto was impressive on his chasing bow at Newton Abbot last month and has plenty of scope for further improvement. That may not be the case with Health Is Wealth and Pure Faith, while House Rules was well beaten on his only previous start over fences.
Health Is Wealth (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) With leader, not fluent 10th, lost 2nd after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 7, 35l behind Cappagh (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Sep.
Pure Faith (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Led 2nd, not fluent 6th, soon headed, well held by front pair approaching 2 out, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Mad Moose (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gf in Sep.
Lancetto (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Led 1st, jumped right 2nd and 9th, clear approaching 2 out, coasted home, won at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (4) gd in Sep beating Bermuda Boy (11-4) by 6l, 5 ran.
House Rules (IRE) 4-9fav (11-12) Made all, asserted before last, drew clear run-in, easily, won at Roscommon 2m nov hdl sft in Sep beating Foildearg (11-0) by 14l, 4 ran.
Toubab (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Keen hold, tracked leaders, mistakes 3rd and 4th, soon lost place, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 37l behind Sire De Grugy (11-6) at Kempton 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Zaynar (FR) 10-1 (10-3) 7th of 18, 12l behind Roi Du Val (10-7) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 5f hdl sft in May.
