tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, travelling well and 2 lengths off leader when left in lead 4 out, clear next, very easily, not extended
held up, headway 3rd, not fluent 9th, pushed along after 5 out, left 3rd 4 out, no impression next, mistake last
held up, hampered and left 4th 4 out, no impression
tracked leader, jumped left 1st, not fluent next, lost 2nd 5th, left 2nd 4 out, stayed on, no impression on unextended winner
led, hit 4th, clear next, jumped right 9th, 2 lengths up when fell 4 out
tracked leaders, jumped slowly at times, lost place 2nd, well beaten 4 out, mistakes 3 out and 2 out
Benefficient was due to run here yesterday and we're loathe to desert DYNASTE in this. A very useful staying hurdler, he made a big impression on his chasing bow at Cheltenham when getting the better of the highly-regarded Fingal Bay and David Pipe's six-year-old should be good enough to defy his penalty. Theatre Guide also impressed when tackling fences for the first time at Exeter, beating Hinterland by 11 lengths. He is also worth following this winter while Court In Motion should strip fitter for his third at Wincanton but may not come fully into his own until tackling 3m. Valmari, Swincombe Flame and There's No Panic should all win more races but the latter blotted his copybook at Cheltenham last time and this looks a lot tougher.
Dynaste (FR) 7-4 (11-2) Held up in close 5th, smooth headway on inside approaching 3 out, travelling well when switched right approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, quickened to lead run-in, pushed readily clear, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gs beating Fingal Bay (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leading pair who went clear from 4th, closed after 8th, went 2nd before 4 out, led 2 out, drew clear from last, ran on well, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (2) gs beating Hinterland (10-7) by 11l, 5 ran.
There's No Panic (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden and not fluent 3 out, weakened soon after, mistake 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Swing Bill (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs, 14 ran.
Court In Motion (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, stumbled just after 7th, bad mistake 11th, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden when not fluent next, stayed on, unable to get near winner, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Houblon Des Obeaux (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs.
Valmari (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Not fluent and wandered into the fences, led, mistake 1st, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Houblon Des Obeaux (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gs in Oct.
Swincombe Flame 5-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, went left next, went badly left and lost 2nd 4 out, weakened next, mistake 2 out, 7th of 9, 21l behind Hadrian's Approach (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f Beginners Chase (0-140) (4yo+) (3) gs.
Benefficient (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Made all, slight mistake 4 out, pushed out to assert before last, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs gd beating El Fontan (11-12) by 5l, 11 ran.
