held up, headway when mistake 12th, ridden next, weakened 4 out
mid-division, ridden 15th, jumped right when weakening 3 out
in touch, mistake 1st, reminders 9th, headway 10th, mistake next, soon dropped rear, tailed off
in touch, led after 4 out, ridden 2 out, ran on
led 3rd, mistake 6, hit 13th, ridden when headed after 4 out, weakened 3 out
led, jumped right and headed 3rd, ridden 9th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up before 4 out
in touch, chased leader from 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, edged left under pressure flat, one pace
always in rear, pulled up before 3 out
Santando was useful on the level, has shown decent form over hurdles as well and Peter Bowen's gelding looks to hold solid claims of opening his account over fences here, getting the vote ahead of Almizan and Joe Lively. The last mentioned has shown respectable form in limited opportunities over hurdles and could be of interest on his debut over the larger obstacles. Montys Island remains a maiden and is hard to recommend here, while Christmas Truce is no better than plating class. Gary Moore's Almizan has shown ability over hurdles and again on his chasing debut last month but Santando should be different class to these and he is preferred.
Almizan (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway 7th, under pressure 12th, soon one pace, 3rd of 13, 10l behind That Look (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Aug.
Christmas Truce (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 8th, 5th of 14, 16l behind Colourful Life (11-7) at Stratford 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Dundonald 33-1 (9-11) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression, 7th of 12, 22l behind Shannon Lodge (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Jun.
Fort Royal (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, held up in touch, lost place when mistake 5th, behind when mistake 10th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Square Mile (11-10) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) gf.
Joe Lively (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 6th, 10th of 18, 46l behind Sonnyanjoe (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf.
Montys Island (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Towards rear, going well 11th, ridden 4 out, no impression, 6th of 7, 41l behind Cape Stormer (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Narval D'avelot (FR) 40-1 (9-7) Mid-division, lost place when hit 10th, no danger after and pulled up 4 out in race won by Hurlers Cross (9-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 15 ran.
Santando 5-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 2 out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind First Cry (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in Aug.
Spring Brook (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Prominent early, lost place 7th, weakened before 8th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Shannon Lodge (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Jun, 12 ran.
