chased leaders, mistake 8th, lost place 12th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, hit 9th, headed before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last
close up on outside, outpaced 5 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure, to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
mid-division, outpaced approaching 4 out, never on terms
held up mid-division, headway and in touch 11th, led before 3 out, stayed on well from next
held up towards rear, mistake 10th, ridden and some headway 5 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out, dismounted
tracked leader, lost place 5 out, soon ridden and beaten
chased leaders, lost place when blundered 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
mid-division, outpaced 5 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
mid-division, lost place 11th, outpaced when mistake 13th, 6th and no impression when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
tracked leaders, effort 13th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway and in touch 5 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, lost 2nd flat, kept on
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
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NOIR ET VERT makes some appeal at an each-way price whilst According To Pete and Possol should be two of the more popular selections. According To Pete is unbeaten over fences and his shrewd trainer has to be respected in his decision to aim him at this race. He's a classy, progressive individual but this will be a completely different test of his chasing credentials and it makes sense to take him on giving weight to all bar one. Possol probably wouldn't want any more rain but this slight drop in trip looks to be in his favour as he was just found wanting in the closing stages at Cheltenham. He's on the same mark but only one six year old has managed to snare this prize in the last ten years. Ungaro finished second last year from a 2lb higher mark and should give it another good go as should Alexanderthegreat who has been running consistently this term. That's Rhythm was just two lengths behind According To Pete off levels in a novice chase and, although flattered by the margin, has to enter calculations in receipt of 20lbs and is no back number. Montgermont has the ability if he can put a clear round of jumping whilst connections had high hopes for Big Fella Thanks at the start of the year and he has time on his side. The connections of Noir Et Vert also had high hopes for him a couple of years ago and he went some way to justifying them when missing out by a short-head in a handicap at the Punchestown Festival. He's back on the same mark and ran a promising race at Cheltenham when staying on from the rear without threatening. The better ground that currently prevails at Doncaster may enable him to be ridden more prominently and, although he comes with risks attached, he has the ability to land a big prize or two and Ferdy Murphy can be relied upon to have Noir Et Vert ready to peak.
Always Waining (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up, headway when mistake 17th, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 20 ran.
According To Pete 1-4fav (11-10) Made all, drew clear from 3 out, comfortably, won at Newcastle 3m nov chs (3) sft in Dec beating Mill Side (10-13) by 24l, 6 ran.
Ungaro (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Always behind, 5th of 10, 26l behind Monet's Garden (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Laskari (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway 13th, chased leaders before 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Fleet Street (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
Big Fella Thanks 10-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, mistake 9th, steady headway from 12th, chased leaders after 4 out, 2nd and going well when mistake and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Fleet Street (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec, 18 ran.
Montgermont (FR) 5-1 (10-1) Towards rear when unseated rider in race won by Cloudy Lane (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft, 10 ran.
Crozan (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Held up, headway 9th, chased leaders in 4th when fell 4 out in race won by Laskari (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden after 16th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 15, 44l behind Mon Mome (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
Verasi 66-1 (10-0) Held up, headway when blundered 17th, impeded 5 out and pulled up 5 out in race won by Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 20 ran.
Flying Enterprise (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) Mid-division until blundered badly and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by An Accordion (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Lysander (GER) 16-1 (9-7) Took keen hold in mid-division, mistakes 7th and 8th, in rear when hit 13th, weakened 15th, 7th of 14, 19l behind Niche Market (9-9) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
Alexanderthegreat (IRE) 4-1fav (10-10) In touch, jumped right 12th, went 2nd after 16th, led 3 out, hard pressed 2 out, headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Rambling Minster (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Native Coral (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 9th, challenged 2 out, every chance last, one pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Kandjar D'allier (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Possol (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 8th, hampered 16th, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, plugged on to go modest 3rd after last, 3rd of 15, 20l behind Mon Mome (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
Billyvoddan (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In touch, close up when blundered 8th, ridden and weakened after 11th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Classic Fiddle (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Hot Weld 6-1 (10-0) Mostly jump well, led to 5th, chased leader, reminder 13th and led soon after, made rest, 1 length ahead when left clear last, stayed on well, won at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr '07 beating Reveillez (10-10) by 3l, 10 ran.
Fier Normand (FR) 25-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, steady headway 13th, chased leaders after 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, never any chance with easy winner, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Stan (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
You're Special (USA) 33-1 (10-13) Towards rear, hampered 3rd (chair), soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Gwanako (11-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 29 ran.
Noir Et Vert (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 9th, mistake, hampered 16th, headway 18th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 13l behind Rambling Minster (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
My Immortal 25-1 (10-0) Always in rear, 14th of 19, well behind Monkerhostin (10-13) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
That's Rhythm (FR) 5-4fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led 9th, headed approaching 5 out, ridden 4 out, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Mill Side (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Aleron (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, smooth headway 4 out, challeged 2 out, ridden and no extra, flat, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Ellerslie George (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
