in touch in 5th, headway to chase leaders 7th (water), ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, poor 4th when mistake last, tailed off
chased winner, ridden before 4 out, lost 2nd next, hung left and stayed on same pace and no chance with leading duo from 2 out
went right 1st, towards rear, mistake 5th steady headway to mid-division when mistake 8th, never travelled after, struggling 13th, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, kept on under pressure flat, always held
always towards rear, never involved, tailed off
mid-division, headway approaching 13th, 5th and ridden when fell 4 out
mistakes in rear, blundered 2nd and next, slow 9th, no chance when blundered 13th, tailed off
always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leaders, blundered 13th, ridden and weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
went right 1st, in rear, blundered 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
often jumped right, made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well flat
Twice a winner over timber, EMPEROR'S CHOICE is getting closer with every start over fences. He found only one too good at Fontwell last time and can confirm running with third-placed Venetian Lad, who was nearly 10 lengths behind. Round The Horn has failed to complete either side of winning at Uttoxeter and it's anybody's guess what mood he'll be in but Ballylifen ran well enough at Plumpton last time and can figure dropping down a grade. Blackwell Synergy scored over hurdles in Ireland but has shown little over fences so far so both Arbeo and Addiction make more appeal on the back of recent placed efforts.
Oscar Davy (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 7th, mistake 10th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Howard's Legacy (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 3f beg chs (3) sft in Nov.
Ballylifen (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led, slow 4th, mistake 6th, blundered and headed 10th, ridden to lead again narrowly 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 6, 8l behind Opening Batsman (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (3) sft.
Simply Ben (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, struggling and reminder 16th, went moderate 3rd when mistake 4 out, plugged on same pace, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 5, 43l behind Highland Lodge (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) hvy.
Emperor's Choice (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Chased leader, not fluent and reminder 2nd, lost 4th, mistake and lost place 7th, not fluent 9th, ridden before 11th, rallied under pressure 3 out, chased winner before last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Father Probus (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Blackwell Synergy (FR) 6-1 (11-1) In rear, tailed off from 5th, 4th of 9, 29l behind L'Eldorado (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Round The Horn (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in touch on outside, hit 8th, chased leaders under pressure 4 out to next, soon weakend, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Shaking Hands (11-9) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Tickatack (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up behind in touch, struggling 13th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Super Duty (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) sft.
Addiction 7-2 (11-0) Held up, headway after 10th, hit 12th, went 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner after jumping right 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Rydalis (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f Mares Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) gs in Nov.
Venetian Lad 7-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, pushed along and left 3rd 3 out, one pace in 3rd before last, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Father Probus (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Morgan's Bay 80-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 4 out, ridden in 4th soon after 3 out, not fluent next, 5th and beaten when blundered last, 5th of 7, 15l behind Milarrow (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Arbeo (IRE) 10-3 (11-1) Led narrowly, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Savant Bleu (11-1) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) sft.
