held up, headway and in touch halfway, outpaced 12th, no danger after
in touch, outpaced 12th, no danger after
in touch, mistake 2nd, disputed lead when blundered 6th, led 11th, ridden 4 lengths clear 3 out, held on flat
held up, blundered and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, lost place 8th, outpaced 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, dismounted
in touch, out paced 10th, behind when fell next
Shrewd Investor gets the vote here with Karelian and Hydromatic rating the main dangers. The selection ran as if in need of the run when only eighth behind Pass It On last time out. He looks sure to be suited by this longer trip and under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Karelian rates the main danger on his latest fifth behind Imperial Commander but he has yet to prove he stays this far and looks opposable on that basis. Hydromatic won well last time when beating Deer Vally but this looks tougher and he will need to improve again if he is to beat the selection. Benbeoch has always looked as if he would make a better chaser but he may need the run after a 945 day break. The remainder have shown very little and are readily opposed and for the winner we return to Shrewd Investor.
Karelian 8-1 (11-7) Mistakes, took keen hold, chased leaders, reminder after 6th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 34l behind Imperial Commander (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gd in Nov.
Benbeoch 6-4fav (12-0) Held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and kept on approaching final furlong, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Imps Way (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f mdn hts chs (H) gd in Apr '05.
Hydromatic (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Prominent, outpaced after 15th, rallied 2 out, led near finish, won at Ballarat 3m ptp gf in Jun beating Deer Valley (12-0) by a nk, 9 ran.
Shrewd Investor (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Chased leaders until weakened from 3 out, 8th of 12, 23l behind Pass It On (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Something Gold (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 5th, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and effort next, one pace under pressure, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Kalmo Bay (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Nov.
The Ample Hamper 5-2 (12-0) Trckd ldrs; ev ch 15; one pce aft 2 out, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Luksar (12-0) at Balcormo Mains 3m ptp gf in Apr.
Wee Sean (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, 37l behind Sprinkler (10-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Nov.
