always prominent, hard driven to challenge approaching 2 out, stayed on after last, never reached winner
chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, modest 3rd when fell 3 out
chased leaders, lost touch 13th, tailed off 5 out, left in remote 3rd 3 out
made all, hit 11th, not fluent next, hard driven when mistake 2 out, kept on well under pressure
COURT IN MOTION is likely to run here rather than Cheltenham and can end his winless run. Emma Lavelle's seven-year-old was the only one to make a race of it with Dynaste at Newbury and is 3lb better off than when a close third to Houblon Des Obeaux over a shorter trip in a Grade 2 at Wincanton on his chasing bow. Minella Class' victory at Ascot will have been a real confidence-booster but this is tougher while Makethe Mostofnow was a long way behind Houblon Des Obeaux in Harry Topper's race at Newbury and looks to have little chance of turning the tables.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 15-8fav (11-9) Held up in touch, chased leaders 5 out, ridden to challenge 3 out, kept on under pressure, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Harry Topper (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Minella Class (IRE) 7-4fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, jumped carefully at times, challenged 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden out, won at Ascot 2m 5f beg chs (3) sft in Nov beating Theatrical Star (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Makethe Mostofnow (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up in rear but in touch, struggling 5 out, hampered next, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 48l behind Harry Topper (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Court In Motion (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, jumped left 1st, not fluent next, lost 2nd 5th, left 2nd 4 out, stayed on, no impression on unextended winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Dynaste (11-8) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov.
