raced keenly, led, headed narrowly 8th, lost place 11th, weakened 4 out
held up in touch, headway when blundered 10th, challenged 5 out to before next, soon outpaced, no chance from 3 out
tracked leaders on inside, lost place 11th, disputed well beaten 4th when pecked 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 11th, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden and 2 lengths down approaching last, stayed on to lead flat
tracked leaders on outside, lost place 11th, soon behind, beaten when blundered 3 out
held up behind in touch, struggling 11th, stayed on to take moderate 3rd 3 out, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders, ridden 5 out, kept on same pace, no chance with leaders
pressed leader, led narrowly 8th, ridden 2 lengths clear when went right last, headed and no extra flat
Withdrawn
Kind Of Easy clearly has plenty of ability but is not the best jumper of fences and was lucky to survive more blunders when scoring on his reappearance at Fontwell. He'll be under more pressure here though Well Hello There also has a bit to prove after a less-than-convincing performance at Ffos Las. Bendant can also make mistakes and neither Alderluck nor Rydalis have been foot-perfect in the past. Chepstow third Gas Line Boy may need more time while it's two years since Arkose last ran over fences, though he stays well. REGAL PRESENCE has only run once over the larger obstacles so far but wasn't disgraced at Towcester in May and could be well handicapped here judged on the pick of his hurdles form - he gets a tentative vote in an open race.
Mr Gardner (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and losing place when fell 4 out, in a race won by Pigeon Island (10-8) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Well Hello There (IRE) 5-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th or 11th, fell next, in a race won by Sivola De Sivola (11-5) at Ffos Las 3m (3) gs in Oct, 4 ran.
Alderluck (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in last trio, mistake 9th, blundered 14th, driven in 7th and struggling in 5th after 4 out, plugged on, stayed on and pressed for 3rd in closing stages, never going pace to get involved, 4th of 9, 16l behind Emperor's Choice (11-10) at Lingfield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Gas Line Boy (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Mid-division, not always fluent, mistake 1st, went 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Pantxoa (11-5) at Chepstow 3m (3) gd in Oct.
Kind Of Easy (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Close up, led 5 out, clear when blundered 3 out, blundered last, kept on well, pushed out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Oct beating Double Chocolate (10-5) by 8l, 6 ran.
Arkose (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Made most, ridden and hard pressed after 2 out, headed flat, no extra when lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Kris Cross (11-3) at Perth 3m 3f con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
Regal Presence (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Prominent, went 2nd 9th, mistake 11th, 3rd and ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced by leaders, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Thanks For Coming (10-12) at Towcester 2m 6f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Rydalis (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, pushed along after 7th, soon lost place, blundered badly 10th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Noble Legend (11-1) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Bendant 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, led 4th, mistake 6th, not fluent 7th and next, hit 4 out, dived at next, went right pecked and and narrowly headed 2 out, chased winner and kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Special Account (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Oct.
