held up in rear until fell 8th
towards rear, ridden and struggling 19th, pulled up approaching 4 out
led to after 3rd, tracked leader, regained lead 11th, clear 18th, hard pressed from 3 out, in command flat, kept on gamely
well in rear, stayed on from 4 out, went 3rd last
mid-division, ridden 13th, soon struggling, pulled up approaching 19th
led after 3rd until 11th, chased winner after, challening from 3 out, still every chance approaching last, held flat
behind, stayed on from 4 out, mistake 3 out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway 18th, chased leading pair before 4 out, weakening when fell last
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 13th, weakened under pressure 19th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leader until lost place 11th, behind after
Tana River can outstay his opponents to prevail at the expense of Ladalko and Fork Lightning. Jumping is the name of the game, and with that in mind, both Ladalko and Fork Lightning need to improve on what they showed first time back this term. Ladalko got no further than the third when sent off as favourite for a Listed contest at Wincanton last month, but can be fancied on the strength of his close second to Run For Paddy in the Scottish National. That performance dispelled the theory that he lacks stamina, although he has yet to score over further than three miles. A good run here will put him spot on for the Welsh National. Fork Lightning came a cropper at the very first obstacle in the aforementioned Wincanton race and has not won since 2004 so has to be treated with caution, while Iris Bleu is not the force of old, but with David Pipe in form, a good run is anticipated. We much prefer the claims of Tana River though. Emma Lavelle has her team in good order despite the lapse of Presenting Express in the Hennessy, and her 10-year-old lines up on the back of a pillar-to-post victory at Wincanton. He has gone well round here in the past, goes on the ground and just needs to fine a small bit of improvement to make his presence felt. With doubts about most of his opponents, Tana River is the percentage call.
Ladalko (FR) 5-2fav (11-4) Mid-division when fell at the 3rd in race won by Parsons Legacy (10-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Nitrat (FR) (10-11) In touch when blundered 5 out, soon beaten, 6th of 13, 31l behind Alarm Call (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 7f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Tana River (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Made all, not fluent 11th, ridden clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov beating Xellance (10-6) by 25l, 4 ran.
Iris Bleu (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and lost touch 17th, kept on one pace after, 4th of 12, 14l behind Parsons Legacy (10-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov.
Tribal Venture (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakening and one pace, 5th of 12, 22l behind My Will (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Simon 11-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 13th, weakened next, 5th of 13, 38l behind Bob Bob Bobbin (11-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Wild Is The Wind (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Soon well behind, headway to chase leading pair after 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, kept on well flat, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Geeveem (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Dead-Eyed Dick (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Always behind, 5th of 12, 19l behind Charlies Future (10-5) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Willie John Daly (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, weakened 5 out, 5th of 9, 46l behind King Killone (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Earl's Kitchen 16-1 (11-6) In touch, reminders after 7th, never travelling after, tailed off and pulled up at the 16th in race won by Hazeljack (9-10) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Apr, 14 ran.
Moorlands Again 14-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led 4th to 6th, led again after 8th to approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 21l behind Bring Me Sunshine (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Fork Lightning (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Fell 1st in race won by Parsons Legacy (10-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
