in touch, effort to chase leaders 8th until lost place and behind from 11th, tailed off 3 out
held up, effort to chase leaders 4 out, under pressure and weakened after next
led at decent pace, strong pressed 2 out, jumped left and narrowly headed last, rallied to regain lead flat and kept on well
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chasing leading pair when hit 2 out, stayed on same pace after
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders soon after 3 out, weakened before next
soon in rear, reminders and struggling after 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
chased leaders, hit 7th, mistake, ridden 10th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
prominent, chased winner 11th, driven after 3 out, no extra from next
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 7th, mistake and went 3rd at 12th, challenged 2 out, driven to take narrow lead and slightly bumped last, headed and not quicken flat
chased winner to 12th, soon lost place, tailed off
in touch, slow jump and lost place 10th, behind and no chance after
Minuit De Cotte, John Diamond and Bagan are three against the field in a tough race to call for punters and the tentative nomination is given to John Diamond. The selection won well last time out when beating Manly Money and although rising in the weights he looks progressive and he is taken to win again. Minuit De Cotte rates the main danger as he also won well last time out but the suspicion is he may bounce and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Bagan beat The Stickler last time out and is another with place claims especially as this longer trip should suit. Cossack Dancer was second behind Manly Money last time but on a line through that horse he looks to have plenty to find with the selection . The Hardy Boy won well last time out at his beloved Plumpton but he looks vulnerable under his penalty. Of the remainder Inaro is often let down by his jumping so for the winner we return to John Diamond.
Berengario (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) In touch, close up 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, struggling when slighty hampered 2 out, no danger after, 9th of 19, 15l behind Knowhere (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Black de Bessy (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent in chasing group, closed from 3 out to dispute 3rd 2 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 12, 13l behind Oniz Tiptoes (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Led, ridden after 11th, headed approaching last, jumped well to lead after last, hard ridden and headed close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Manly Money (10-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Bagan (FR) 5-4jt-fav (11-2) Held up in touch, headway 10th, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Jul beating The Stickler (10-10) by a nk, 6 ran.
Coach Lane 10-1 (11-9) In touch, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off, virtually pulled up, 9th of 12, well behind Patricksnineteenth (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Apr.
Barton Flower 4-1 (10-6) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on gamely from 2 out, driven out flat, won at N Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gf in Aug '06 beating Cream Cracker (10-1) by 2l, 6 ran.
Inaro (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, blundered 10th, headway 13th, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 9, 10l behind Special Conquest (9-11) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Herecomestanley 6-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 6th, short-lived effort 3 out, 9th of 13, well behind Franco (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Fieldsofclover (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Led 4th to 8th, chased winner to 3 out, one pace approaching next, 3rd of 6, 14l behind The Entomologist (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
The Hardy Boy 4-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, closed 9th, went 2nd 4 out, led next, in command between last 2, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Toms Gone Grey (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
John Diamond (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Prominent, chased leader 13th, led 4 out, pushed clear from 3 out, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd beating Manly Money (11-5) by 12l, 9 ran.
