tracked leaders until lost place 9th, rallied after 13th, one pace from 4 out
held up, headway 9th to dispute 2nd, challenged 2 out, soon ridden and held
tracked leader, blundered 2nd, remained in touch until after 10th, pulled up after 13th
not always fluent, led until approaching 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
held up, struggling 11th, outpaced approaching 5 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 3rd, led approaching 4 out, pressed 2 out, ridden and stayed on well
Hills Of Aran will do well to win if taking part in the Feltham on Boxing Day, and preference is for NAKAI ahead of Pancake and Wind Instrument. The selection is not bomb-proof, as he showed when getting rid of Sam Thomas at the track last time on his chasing debut. He was still in with every chance but had made a bad mistake previously, and assuming his confidence is not affected, he should take this. Pancake was a good hurdler and is already rated 138 over fences. He is yet to win in five but his level of form is solid and conditions pose no problems. Scobie Nail showed little over hurdles but he is an unexposed former Irish point-to-point winner and cannot be overlooked, Wind Instrument won here over hurdles and has a fine strike-rate; he should improve on his recent run behind Mister Gloss over hurdles and could make up into a better chaser. A competitive heat, but Nakai gets the nod.
Hills Of Aran 50-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 10th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Punchestowns (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gs.
Nakai (FR) 5-4fav (11-1) Held up behind leading pair, blundered and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy, 4 ran.
Olmeto Collonges (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Led until headed 4 out, weakened quickly next, tailed off, 3rd of 4, 47l behind Sovereign King (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (3) sft.
Pancake (FR) 7-2 (11-1) Led until 11th, prominent, led 5 out, went slightly right final 3, ridden approaching last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy.
Scobie Nail (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) 2nd when fell at the 8th in race won by That's My Sister (12-0) at Dromahane 3m Ir pt sft in Nov.
Wind Instrument (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Held up well in rear, never a factor, 12th of 19, 38l behind Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
