held up, took keen hold, closed 2nd, led after next, not fluent 5th, clear when jumped right last 2, very easily
took keen hold, prominent, lost place 3 out, mistake and weakened next, tailed off
led, clear until 1st, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, soon headed, not fluent 6th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 3rd, pushed along before 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, reminder after 5th, effort and ridden after 4 out, 3rd 3 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, jumped left, behind from 5th, tailed off
took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd approaching 3 out where not fluent, well held by winner from next, lost 2nd and weakened flat
held up in rear, bumped 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
Former pointer Fort Worth has won both starts under Rules. He scored over hurdles at Wetherby in October and should have more to offer but CARDINAL WALTER will be a tough nut to crack. Nicky Henderson's charge couldn't give 6lb to Qewy at Newbury three weeks ago but that was no disgrace. He stayed 1m6f on the Flat so should handle this step up in trip. Royalraise has each-way claims on his third at Southwell in November while Heated Debate may do better with an Ascot run under his belt. Midnight Monty is one to note for future reference.
Cardinal Walter (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, led soon after, joined when mistake 2 out, headed between last two, soon outpaced and no chance with impressive winner, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Qewy (11-2) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Copperfacejack (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led until 3rd, lost place before 5th, mistake and weakened next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Monbeg Theatre (11-1) at Towcester 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Heated Debate (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leader until after 4th, chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, jumped right last, tailed off, 9th of 13, 47l behind Arpege D'alene (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Kinari (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, struggling after 6th, went remote 4th 2 out, went 3rd flat, never any chance, tailed off, 3rd of 9, well behind Ugolin De Beaumont (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Luccombe Down 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along 4 out, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 10, 37l behind Doctor Phoenix (11-4) at Newcastle 2m NH mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Midnight Monty 33-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway into mid-division before 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never reached leaders, 5th of 15, 23l behind A Vos Gardes (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Royalraise (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 7th, 2nd before 8th until before 2 out, driven and not quicken between last two, went 3rd soon after last, one pace, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Monbeg Theatre (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Tinos Tank (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, challenged and every chance when fell next, in a race won by A Vos Gardes (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Fort Worth (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 6th, challenged after 3 out, led last, ran green but quickened clear towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Arthurs Secret (10-12) by 3l, 9 ran.
