held up in rear, not always fluent, mistake 4 out, soon well behind
mid-division, jumped right and ridden briefly 5th, soon in rear group, struggling 4 out, jumped right 3 out, no impression, stayed on flat
prominent, not fluent 3rd, jumped right and went 2nd 5th, hit next, led 9th, headed 2 out, weakened flat
held up towards rear on outside, went right 5th, hit 9th, well beaten 4 out, tailed off
led, not always fluent, hit 7th (water), headed 9th, weakened 2 out
held up, took keen hold, headway 2nd, hit 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, ridden flat, headed towards finish
mid-division, headway after 4 out, went 2nd approaching last, swished tail and stayed on well flat, led towards finish
tracked leader until 5th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
This isn't the easiest start over fences for THIRD INTENTION but he's the class act on his hurdles form which included a victory in the Grade 2 National Spirit Trophy at Fontwell in February. He can make the most of the 5lb he receives from Newton Abbot scorer Jump City and Peckhamecho, a wide-margin winner on his chasing bow at Stratford and a progressive sort over the smaller obstacles last season. Rajnagan and the four-year-old His Excellency have a double penalty and may struggle while Tindaro already appears to have had his limitations exposed and Cavite Beta disappointed when favourite at Listowel last time. Tornade D'Estruval was improving when last seen however.
Rajnagan (IRE) 4-6fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 6th, left in lead next, headed 8th, challenging when not fluent 3 out, left in lead again next, comfortably, won at Southwell 2m nov chs (4) gd in Aug beating Tri Nations (11-0) by 9l, 8 ran.
Jump City (FR) 6-4 (11-3) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge last, led run-in, kept on towards finish, won at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (4) sft beating Double Ross (11-3) by nk, 4 ran.
Peckhamecho (IRE) 1-4fav (11-4) Made all, mistake 2nd, clear 7th, not fluent 3 out, very easily, won at Stratford 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Sep beating Dolatulo (11-4) by 25l, 5 ran.
Tindaro (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Settled in rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 7th, headway 3 out, chased winner next, not pace to chalenge, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Alfraamsey (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gd.
Cavite Beta (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, slight mistake 6th, closed up in 3rd and slightly slow 3 out, ridden in 4th into straight, jumped a little left and bumped into rival 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 6l behind Fair Dilemma (11-9) at Listowel 2m 4f beg chs sft in Sep.
Third Intention (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, left 4th 6th, close enough before 3 out, soon outpaced by leaders and no impression, 4th of 5, 19l behind Oscar Whisky (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
His Excellency (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 3rd, went 2nd after 2 out, soon hanging left and swishing tail, still hanging when switched right flat, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Smalib Monterg (10-2) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Tornade D'estruval (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Made all, not fluent 4 out, kept on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jul beating Aviso (11-4) by 7l, 9 ran.
Dr Anubis (IRE) 7-2 (10-3) In rear, jumped slightly right and slowly at times, reminders 8th, headway after 3 out, no impression on leaders, almost snatched 3rd, 4th of 6, 12l behind Full Ov Beans (9-7) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
