led, strongly challenged 2 out, headed last, soon rallied, no extra closing stages
held up in touch, slow 3rd, outpaced 4 out, headway before 2 out, led last, driven out
held up in touch, never jumped well, blundered and unseated rider 5th
chased leaders, pushed along 13th, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, soon beaten, moderate 4th
tracked leader, lost place before 12th, soon struggling in rear, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Matmata De Tendron is suited by extreme distances and is already a C&D winner. After a couple of runs, he should be approaching peak fitness now. The lack of a recent run isn't usually a problem for a Nigel Twiston-Davies' representative so Our Columbus, who won at Chepstow in April and still has some scope, has to go on the short-list but CANAL BANK ran well for a long way on his reappearance at Carlisle when Matmata De Tendron was behind. He's been eased a little in the weights and looks a better bet here than the Copper's Gold, who may find this trip beyond him under a big weight.
Copper's Gold (IRE) 9-2fav (11-4) Jumped right throughout, led to 11th, tracked leader, led before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, headed before last, weakened run-in, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Lockstown (11-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Canal Bank (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden to chase winner 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 24l behind Do It For Dalkey (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Our Columbus (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 12th, chased leaders next, pushed along 5 out, hard ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead close home, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Apr beating Billy Murphy (11-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Duke Of Ormond (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 9th, mistake 11th, mistake and weakened 5 out, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Wide Receiver (10-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Matmata de Tendron (FR) 7-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 15th, pushed along 18th, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 10, 20l behind Outlaw Tom (11-6) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Kercabellec (FR) 25-1 (9-7) Led until approaching 4th, led 6th, headed next, tracked leader until 17th, mistake next, lost touch from 19th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Call At Midnight (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m 6f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Esme Rides A Gaine 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, lost place 3rd, towards rear and pushed along, weakened from 12th, 6th of 9, 43l behind Lockstown (11-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Held up in rear, ridden 8th, headway 3 out, went 3rd last, stayed on, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Gulf Punch (11-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Nov.
