in touch on inside, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance last, no extra run-in
chased leaders, with leader 4th, led after 6 out, headed approaching last, one pace
held up mid-division, headway after 6 out, kept on same pace when hit last, no impression
chased leaders on outer, hit 7th, weakened before 5 out, pulled up after next
in touch, not fluent 5th, kept on same pace from 2 out
in rear and not fluent, soon struggling, detached from 7th, tailed off when pulled up
led after 1st, took keen hold, headed 4th, led again 5th, headed approaching 7th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, ridden run-in, kept on strongly
towards rear, reminders 7th, hit 8th, struggling from 9th
held up towards rear, struggling from 9th
held up towards rear, pecked 7th, blundered 9th, weakened before 5 out, in 9th and well held when blundered badly 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 6 out, some headway next, weakened approaching 4 out
led, fell 1st
chased leader, led 4th, pecked and headed 5th, led again approaching 7th, hit 11th, headed after 6 out, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, in 6th when unseated rider last
held up towards rear, struggling from 9th, weakened before 5 out
Nicky Henderson's Working Title has shown improved form over hurdles of late in winning his last two starts but it remains to be seen whether he can show similar improvement back over the larger obstacles and a safer option may be PIRAYA, who gets the vote. David Pipe's gelding is only 2lb higher than when a decent second behind Woolcombe Folly at Ascot recently and he can go one better today over a longer trip that should suit. Alesandro Mantegna looks booked for a place at best and a bigger threat may come from Pasco, who makes his reappearance for Paul Nicholls. Henrietta Knight's Minella Theatre has more to do than when winning at Stratford last time off his new mark and may have to settle for minor honours.
Pasco (SWI) 15-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, blundered 12th (canal turn), lost place 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Always Waining (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Apr, 27 ran.
Piraya (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Close up, chased leaders 4th, led and not fluent 9th, headed after 3 out, every chance 2 out, chased winner in vain after, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gs.
Prince De Beauchene (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders and keen, challenged 3 out, in 3rd and held when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-10) at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) hvy, 5 ran.
Nozic (FR) 33-1 (11-7) In touch, not fluent 4th, last and struggling under pressure 4 out, tailed off 3 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Cross Kennon (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gs, 13 ran.
Working Title (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, 1 length down and every chance when left 4 lengths clear 2 out, stayed on well, readily, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd beating Backbord (10-1) by 3l, 9 ran.
The Hollinwell 10-1 (11-4) Tracked winner until 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when jumped left 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind Little Josh (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f int chs (2) sft in Oct.
Minella Theatre (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, left 2nd when hampered 3 out, led last, driven clear, won at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct beating Sunday City (11-6) by 7l, 8 ran.
Mount Oscar (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leader, hit 2nd, led 3rd not fluent 10th, headed after 13th, stayed in 2nd until pecked and dropped to 3rd 5 out, no chance wth leading duo from 3 out, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Ballycarney (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Oct.
Bible Lord (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 8th, lost place next, mistake 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 30l behind Songe (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Just Smudge 11-2 (11-12) Held up in 5th, blundered and in rear 10th, left modest 5th 4 out, stayed on to 3rd before 2 out, no chance when ballooned last, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Shakalakaboomboom (11-1) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 9th, outpaced and struggling soon after, 5th of 11, 21l behind Dave's Dream (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd.
Tramantano 11-4fav (11-1) Disputed 2nd, outpaced 5 out, hit next, soon ridden and lost place, kept on same pace under pressure from 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 6, 28l behind Stagecoach Pearl (10-11) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Oct.
Radetsky March (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led until after 1st, jumped slowly and lost place 3rd, headway 9th, jumped left and weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 45l behind Frosted Grape (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Sep.
Alesandro Mantegna (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Disputed lead after 3rd, jumped left throughout, hard driven after 3 out, headed just after last, rallied, stayed on strongly flat, just failed, 2nd of 7, hd behind Songe (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Circus of Dreams 11-4fav (11-11) Chased leader, pushed along 4 out, no impression next, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened soon after and no chance with front pair, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Noble Crusader (11-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
