in rear, headway to lead 14th, headed after 4 out, soon outpaced
prominent, joined leaders 3rd, pushed along and weakened approaching 13th
chased leaders, lost place 8th
chased leaders, mistake 10th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway 10th, outpaced approaching 4 out
held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden 4 out, went 2nd last, stayed on to lead close home
chased leaders, ridden and struggling from halfway
held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 14th, led after 4 out, soon ridden, weakened and headed close home
led, headed 14th, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out
Victory Gunner landed this race twelve months ago and is expected to go in again this afternoon, Fullards and Mr Woodentop look to be the main rivals. The selection took the honours last term off an eight pound higher mark after showing little before hand. This year he comes here in better form having run well at Chepstow last time and with ground conditions in his favour he has to go close. Fullards won off a mark of 113 over hurdles last time and so could be well in here over the larger obstacles. He unseated his rider on his return to fencing last time out but if getting his jumping together he should be in the shake up. Mr Woodentop disappointed on his return but has strong claims on last season's form. Tommy Carson is always in with a chance in these type of events and looks the best of the rest, but we return to Victory Gunner as the likely winner.
Torche (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led to 11th, chased leader until ridden and weakened 17th, 4th of 5, well behind Ranelagh Gray (10-7) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Supreme Breeze (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Mid-division, blundered 10th, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy, 14 ran.
Profowens (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) With leader, led 4th, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 6l behind Rival Bidder (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Fullards 10-3 (11-7) Held up, slightly hampered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Sharp Belline (11-7) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs, 6 ran.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) In touch, lost place 8th, weakened 5 out, 4th of 11, 19l behind Ironside (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Tommy Carson 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led 10th to next, plugged on, no chance with winner, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Jimmy Tennis (11-12) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Orki Des Aigles (FR) 7-4fav (10-7) Held up, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Chabrimal Minster (11-5) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
