chased leader, led 10th, shaken up 4 out, went clear 2 out, pushed out
led until mistake and headed 10th, ridden after 14th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up last, going well 14th, ridden after, weakened 4 out
prominent, chased leader 5th, reminder 7th, ridden after 14th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, blundered 11th, lost place, pulled up before 13th
mid-division, headway 12th, ridden after 13th, stayed on to go 2nd from after 14th
always towards rear, weakened 11th, pulled up before 4 out
Very competitive once again however narrow preference is for KORNATI KID ahead of Russian Trigger. The selection has had two encouraging starts over fences, including when not beaten far behind Wichita Lineman last time. He has won at the track over hurdles and looks sure to have a bold go at adding to that success. Theatre Dance is progressing and his third to Lodge Lane at the track reads as very solid form, whilst Sea Eagle tries a visor for the first time in order to try and elicit some improvement and his first win in ten. Russian Trigger has the build of a chaser and has run some good races in competitive hurdles; he has the cheek-pieces on once again and the market may help. Quickbeam would be a player if only he could get his jumping together, however it is Kornati Kid who gets teh nod.
Kornati Kid 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5 out, soon ridden, every chance 3 out, not fluent next, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 5l behind Wichita Lineman (11-4) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Quickbeam (IRE) 8-15fav (11-2) Led, not fluent 3rd, just over 4 lengths ahead when fell at the 10th in race won by Au Courant (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft, 4 ran.
Rudivale (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened after, 4th of 10, 33l behind I'm A Legend (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Russian Trigger 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, lost place after 3rd and soon driven along, never on terms, 7th of 15, 21l behind According To Pete (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Sea Eagle (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Always in rear, hit 8th, reminders 11th, struggling after, 5th of 11, 32l behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-4) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Theatre Dance (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) In touch, closing in 4th when hit 14th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on same pace, went 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Lodge Lane (10-12) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
Just Poppytee 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, behind when pulled up at the 5th in race won by Freeze Up (11-9) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs, 13 ran.
