took keen hold tracking leaders, led on long run to 2 out, went left 2 out, idled and wandered under pressure run-in, always holding on
held up in rear, closer order 9th, went 5th 14th, modest 4th approaching and went left 2 out,
chased leader, led before 11th, pushed along and headed on long run to 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd and no chance with leading duo
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
went badly left and bumped 1st, took keen hold chasing leaders, jumped slowly 4th, went 2nd 13th until weakened after 17th, lost modest 4th and went left 2 out
soon led, narrowly headed when blundered and unseated rider 11th
chased leaders, lefin 2nd at 11th until mistake 13th, chased leaders, pushed along and went 2nd again when went left 2 out, trying to close when mistake last, driven and one pace run -in
held up towards rear, closer order 9th, mistake 12th, pushed along in 5th before 14th, weakened soon after, tailed off
towards rear, closer order 9th, dropped to rear 14th, mistake next, fell 16th
Nonrunner
Not many of these arrive in form but Bally Braes was going well having been well backed at Fontwell last time over hurdles until making a mess of the third-last. UPBEAT COBBLER's jumping was still a bit novicey at Southwell when beaten five lengths by Vujiyama but much better than at Towcester. Further improvement could make him tough to beat in this finale. Donapollo is the type to do better over fences and could run into a place.
Ballybough Andy (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 12, 26l behind Dream Deal (11-10) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Merchant Of Milan 11-4fav (11-12) Led 2nd, mistake and headed 4 out, dropped to 3rd, ridden and weakened before 2 out, refused last, in a race won by De Kerry Man (11-9) at Warwick 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Bebinn (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Jumped right, chased winner until after 5th, dropped to rear next, well outpaced 9th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Royal Palladium (11-9) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov, 4 ran.
The Purchaser (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Keen tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, jumped right last, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 19l behind Brass Monkey (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Upbeat Cobbler (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Chased leader, led 8th until after next, chased winner, challenged between horses 3 out, held when stumbled next, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Vujiyama (11-6) at Southwell 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Wolf Hall (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, weakened before 14th, pulled up, in a race won by King Massini (11-9) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov '13, 7 ran.
Bally Braes (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged going well when stumbled after 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden next, no chance with winner when stayed on to press for 2nd flat, no extra towards finish, 4th of 8, 17l behind American Life (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov.
The Cat's Away (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, reminders before 5 out, mistake 3 out, soon weaakened, last of 4, well behind Tothemoonandback (11-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Dougalstar (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, under pressure 3 out, lost place before next, 5th of 9, 8l behind Vico (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Donapollo 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, struggling 3 out, never on terms, tailed off, 8th of 13, 47l behind Arpege D'alene (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
