jumped well, tracked leaders, led 5th, kept on gamely from last, driven out
disputed until 5th, tracked leaders, hit 7th, ridden after 11th, soon beaten
disputed until 5th, tracked leader, hit 6th, jumped left 9th until blundered 4 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, held near finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, mistake 11th, soon ridden and beaten
tracked leaders, pecked 10th, soon weakened, tailed off
Big Buck's has a big future ahead of him and Paul Nicholls can take this race for the third time in four years, having previously won it with Kauto Star; Oceanos Des Orbeaux is a likely danger. The selection won well at the track on his British debut when disposing of the very useful Barbers Shop and with his French form of obvious merit, there appears no reason why he can't continue up the chasing ladder like some of his more established stablemates. Oceanos Des Obeaux won well on his chasing debut when beating the decent yardstick Gods Token and likely to have learnt from that experience he should run well. Daryal needs to improve for his recent chase debut where he lacked fluency, whilst Moon Over Miami was outclassed at Sandown last time out and he needs to step up again. The other two look out of their depth and so Big Buck's is taken to take this on his way to bigger and better things.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 9-4jt-fav (11-8) Behind, ridden and blundered 4 out, driven and no response before next, 4th of 5, 22l behind Marodima (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft.
Oceanos des Obeaux (FR) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, chased leaders 6th, led 3 out, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) gs beating Gods Token (11-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
Big Buck's (FR) 1-2fav (10-8) Went 2nd 6th, challenged from 2 out, upsides and jumped left last, switched right flat, driven and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Newbury 2m 1f beg chs (3) gs beating Barbers Shop (11-0) by a nk, 4 ran.
Daryal (IRE) 9-4 (11-1) Chased winner, mistake 4th, mistake and lost 2nd 10th, weakened 4 out, 3rd of 5, 31l behind Soulard (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Monzon (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Held up, outpaced 11th, no chance after, last of 4, 23l behind Hobbs Hill (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gf.
Kervriou (FR) 100-1 (10-8) Held up, pulled hard, eased after 3 out, behind when hampered next, 4th of 9, 22l behind Benetwood (11-0) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) gs.
