tracked winner, challenging when hit 2 out, lost 2nd flat, no extra towards finish
held up, mistake 8th, hit next, pushed along after 12th, closed 4 out, ridden after next, one pace and no impression 2 out
tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold, closed 2 out, ridden before last, went 2nd flat, stayed on, unable to quite challenge winner
made all, mistake 3rd, ridden after 2 out, stayed on gamely
tracked leaders, not fluent 10th, pushed along next, last and beaten before 2 out
Tour D'Argent has only managed to make the frame once in eight starts over fences and may need a confidence-booster but Clondaw Knight won over a shorter trip here in November and hasn't been disgraced since. DOUBLEDISDOUBLEDAT made all and kept on well to score at Carlisle two weeks ago. He has another 9lb extra to carry here but may be up to the task if allowed an uncontested lead again. Mandarin Sunset won a maiden hurdle at Musselburgh in the autumn but showed little on his fencing bow.
Clondaw Knight (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, mid-division before 7th, went 3rd before 3 out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Bincombe (10-9) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gd in Mar.
Tour D'Argent (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden and some headway after 11th, weakened before 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Daymar Bay (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Mandarin Sunset (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Pecked 1st, held up in 4th, struggling when mistake 11th, no chance with leaders, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Diocles (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gd in Dec.
Doubledisdoubledat (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Made all, held on well run-in, won at Carlisle 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Gleann Na Ndochais (10-10) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Thorlak (FR) 17-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden before 3 out, 4th and one pace after, 4th of 9, 19l behind Bollin Julie (10-1) at Newcastle 3m cnd nov hcp hdl (5) sft in Mar.
