sometimes jumped left, tracked leader 1st, closed 4 out, led before 3 out, came clear before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on strongly
held up in last pair, no chance from 5th, hit next, left in poor 4th at the last, tailed off
chased leader until 1st, chased clear leading pair, no chance from 5th, tailed off
not always fluent and sometimes jumped left, raced keenly, led, headed before 3 out, mistake 3 out, no chance with winner, clear 2nd
last pair, no chance from 5th, driven in poor 4th when fell last
A stiffer test might have suited GRANDOUET but Nicky Henderson's classy hurdler is getting 6lb from the three previous winners in this and should be good enough to get off the mark over the larger obstacles. He would probably have caught Hinterland in a Grade 1 at Sandown earlier this month in another few strides. Dodging Bullets and Valdez are both unbeaten over fences. The former impressed here in October and again at Cheltenham last month and looks a high-class novice but the latter may have profited from the fall of Black River at Newbury last time, though does jump well. It's difficult to make a case for the remaining trio in this company.
Dodging Bullets 2-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, raced freely early, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, led before last, driven clear and stayed on strongly final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) gd in Nov beating Raya Star (11-2) by 5l, 5 ran.
Red Riverman 50-1 (11-8) Held up in 4th, mistake 11th, beginning to struggle when left 3rd 4 out, well held by front pair after, 3rd of 5, well behind Oscar Whisky (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gd.
Bin End 25-1 (11-7) In touch on outside, driven 11th, weakened 13th, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Bobcatbilly (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Grandouet (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Took keen hold tracking leading pair, went 2nd travelling well 4 out, lost 2nd soon after 2 out, stayed on to 2nd again last, kept on under pressure flat, always just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Hinterland (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gd.
Lindsay's Dream 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, left in 2nd at 3rd, led soon after, headed 2 out, no extra approaching last, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Rock On Ruby (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft.
Valdez 2-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 7th, tracking leaders when left 2nd 8th, led next, clear before 4 out, went markedly right next, very easily, won at Newbury 2m 1f (3) gd in Nov beating Un Bon P'tit Gars (10-9) by 24l, 5 ran.
