tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, lost place next, no impression when fell 2 out
led, joined 11th, driven and headed 3 out, weakened from next
held up, in touch, tracked leaders 5 out, challenged 3 out, ridden after next, every chance last, no extra flat, just held on for 3rd
held up, in rear, tracked leaders when mistake 5 out, effort 2 out, every chance last, ridden and stayed on to chase winner flat, held closing stages
tracked leader, upsides 11th, led 3 out, soon hard pressed, ridden and ran on well flat
in touch, on outside, effort 3 out, stayed on and every chance when not fluent last, ridden and one pace flat, just failed for 3rd
Recent winners of this include Cue Card and Balder Success so the form should be worth following. Nicky Henderson sent out last year's winner and runs two this time. THEINVAL is Jeremiah McGrath's ride so not too much to be read into the fact that Nico de Boinville partners Hammersly Lake. The six-year-old would have been among the best of these over hurdles and ran well in a Listed handicap at Market Rasen in July considering his lack of experience. Flying Angel was very impressive at Perth and has a bright future while Rock The Kasbah and Our Kaempfer are interesting recruits. Clan Des Obeaux was highly tried last season over hurdles after arriving from France and can't be ignored with his big weight-for-age allowance.
Flying Angel (IRE) 4-7fav (11-2) Jumped well, chased clear leader, closed 4 out, led next, in command 2 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Perth 2m 4f (3) sft in Sep beating Rejaah (10-3) by 16l, 6 ran.
Hammersly Lake (FR) 11-10fav (11-1) Took keen hold, made all, clear 2 out, ran on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Aug beating Rejaah (10-0) by 12l, 5 ran.
Theinval (FR) 6-1jfav (10-13) Keen, chasing leaders, led 5 out, headed 3 out, soon rallied, hampered last, kept on well under pressure, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Long House Hall (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Our Kaempfer (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Behind, headway under pressure after 2 out, chased leaders last, ridden and edged right flat, kept on, not reach leaders, 5th of 24, 2 3/4l behind Mall Dini (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
Rock The Kasbah (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 11th of 19, 26 1/4l behind Ubak (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven after 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, kept on under pressure flat, no impression, 6th of 15, 15l behind Ivanovich Gorbatov (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar.
