chased leading pair, dropped rear 6th, soon struggling, plugged on from 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leader to 5th chased leading pair, driven and lost place 4 out, stayed on to regain moderate 3rd between last 2, no chance with leading pair
led, hit 7th, blundered and headed next, led again when blundered 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression flat
chased leaders, pecked 3rd, struggling 7th, stayed on under pressure approaching 2 out, never near leaders
held up in rear, headway 7th, tracked leading pair next, challenged after 3 out, led next, ridden and edged right approaching last, kept on well flat
raced keenly, held up behind, headway and in touch 5th, went 2nd next, led 8th, blundered next, headed 3 out, lost 3rd and weakened after next
Isintshelovely was pulled up on her only previous start over fences but the mare handles give in the ground and should be prominent if her jumping stands up to scrutiny. But we prefer the claims of WATERGATE, who often treated his hurdles with too much respect but should find things less complicated over the larger obstacles. Copper Sound was completely out of his depth behind Time For Rupert on his chasing bow at Cheltenham but could do better in this lesser grade if that experience hasn't left its mark.
Jack The Soldier (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, weakened before 7th, 6th of 7, 38l behind Amirico (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Copper Sound 150-1 (11-2) Always rear, not fluent 3rd, blundered badly 6th, went right after, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Time For Rupert (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gs in Nov.
Watergate (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, pressed leader, narrow lead 3rd, ridden and headed well before 2 out, weakened to 4th and hit last, 4th of 10, 14l behind Marino Prince (11-6) at Kempton 2m cond nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Isintshelovely (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Held up in touch, went 2nd at 9th, pushed along and lost place next, soon weakened, 4th of 5, well behind Queenstown Lad (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Jack's Lad (IRE) 3-1 (10-8) Held up, pulled up after 3rd, in a race won by Come Out Firing (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in May '09, 8 ran.
Bold Pioneer (USA) 20-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, went 3rd at 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, blundered last, lost 3rd flat, last of 4, well behind Tullamore Dew (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.
