in rear, jumped poorly, jumped very slowly 2nd and soon behind, tried to refuse 4th, jumped very slowly next, soon pulled up
held up, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon one pace
close up, chased leader 9th until soon after 4 out, ridden, kept on one pace from next
tracked leaders, lost place 10th, behind from 4 out
led, mistake 7th, ridden and headed narrowly 2 out, one pace from next
held up, improved after 5 out, chased leader next, ridden and led narrowly 2 out, stayed on strongly flat
tracked leader until 9th, ridden and weakened 3 out, landed awkwardly 2 out, pulled up before last
Nicky Henderson won this race last year and connections will be hoping for better from Tanks For That whilst Theatrical Moment and Prince Taime are respected but PAUSE AND CLAUSE promises to be an exciting recruit. The selection ran a big race in a valuable handicap over the brush hurdles at Haydock although he was no match for the winner, Diamond Harry. Connections will have been delighted with that run and he'll be fancied to make his mark in this sphere with the drop in trip of no concern. Tanks For That's performance at Uttoxeter must be a concern for his supporters as he weakened tamely with fitness not deemed an excuse for the run. He attracted plenty of support that day and is deemed capable of better. Theatrical Moment produced a fine run in an Ascot handicap which gives him live claims although he does drop back significantly in trip whilst Prince Taime will need to jump far better than he did on his chase bow at Ascot if he's to take a hand in the finish. Rear Gunner showed a fair level of form over hurdles and is the most interesting of the remainder but he'll have no margin for error in a good quality race that can go to Pause And Clause.
Barnhill Brownie (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Jump with no zest, in rear, reminder after 5th, lost touch after 9th, 4th of 5, 45l behind Bergo (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Bedizen 22-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, stumbled 8th, gradually lost touch from 10th, 3rd of 5, 40l behind Bergo (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Pause And Clause (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, soon chasing leaders, blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 16, 16l behind Diamond Harry (11-12) at Haydock 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Prince Taime (FR) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 2nd, hit 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Awesome George (10-12) at Ascot 2m 5f beg chs (3) gd in Nov.
Rear Gunner (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Mid-division until 4th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Sangfroid (10-3) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Tanks For That (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway 7th, not fluent next, mistake and weakened 3 out, blundered 2 out, 6th of 10, 40l behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Theatrical Moment (USA) 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, took closer order 6th, mistake 3 out, ridden and effort approaching last, one pace and hung left towards finish, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Any Currency (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Peachey Moment (USA) 80-1 (10-12) Led until 1st, remained prominent, weakened 7th, soon behind, 7th of 9, 36l behind Possol (10-12) at Ascot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Petito (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Chased leader, led 5th to after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 29l behind Classic Swain (10-4) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
