held up in rear, mistake 6th, headway 10th, mistake 3 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on well
led 2nd until after next, lost place 6th, soon last, behind from next
prominent, went 2nd 5th, led 7th, mistake 9th, not fluent 13th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, headway 7th, led soon after 3 out, driven flat, held on
led, pecked 1st, headed next, led after 3rd, headed 7th, not fluent next, led before 3 out, soon headed, pressing winner when stumbled 2 out, 3rd and beaten last, one pace
prominent, pecked 1st, ridden after 4 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, reminders after 4th, outpaced from 7th, never in contention after, well beaten approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway 7th, blundered 12th, not fluent next, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace last
mid-division on outside, headway 6th, ridden and outpaced from 7th, lost place next, well held after
This could be another big day for the in-form Nicky Henderson yard and he has another couple of useful prospects facing the starter in this. Mr Gardner returned from a spell on the sidelines to rout three rivals at Huntingdon last month, while Nadiya De La Vega has been making the most of her mares' and weight-for-age allowance in scoring at Warwick and Kempton. She steps up in trip here, however, and is up against some potentially smart novices. Medermit has bounced back well from his Huntingdon debacle and should confirm Cheltenham running with Reve De Sivola and Cois Farraig, while Rock Noir and Hidden Keel both impressed last time and are worth a try at this higher level. Rebel Du Maquis will ensure there is no hanging around but may be vulnerable on this stiff track and we prefer CAPTAIN CHRIS. Philip Hobbs' grand sort has been unlucky to come up against leading Arkle fancy Ghizao in his two starts over fences so far and gives every indication this will prove his optimum trip over fences - he can get off the mark here.
Captain Chris (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tended to jump right, not fluent 1st, chased leader, led 4th, went right and headed 4 out, soon 3rd, rallied flat, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Ghizao (11-10) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Cois Farraig 22-1 (11-7) Mid-divsion, lost place when mistake 10th, mistake next, soon well in rear, jumped right 3 out, 7th of 13, 41l behind Hell's Bay (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Hidden Keel 5-2 (11-0) Made all, 4 lengths clear when blundered 4 out, drew readily clear from 2 out, eased flat, comfortably, won at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Jan beating Fredo (11-0) by 8l, 7 ran.
Medermit (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, switched right after 11th, headway next, close up when pecked slightly 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, stayed on under pressure to close 100 yards out, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Hell's Bay (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Mr Gardner (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Jumped well, made all, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Jan beating Patsy Finnegan (10-12) by 32l, 4 ran.
Rebel Du Maquis (FR) 15-2 (11-8) Chased clear leader, closed up 5th, narrow lead next, left clear 7th(water), hit 4 out, reduced lead after next, hit 2 out, ridden and headed just before last, weakened to 3rd soon after last, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Reve De Sivola (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gd in Dec.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 4-1 (11-7) In touch, not fluent 3rd, not fluent and reminders next, mistakes 10th and 11th, outpaced and lost place from 4 out, no impression after, went well held 3rd flat, 3rd of 13, 23l behind Hell's Bay (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Rock Noir (FR) 9-4 (11-7) Not fluent early, held up 3rd and last, headway to challenge 4 out, led on bit between last 2, drew readily clear after last, easily, won at Warwick 2m nov chs (4) sft in Dec beating Keki Buku (11-0) by 7l, 3 ran.
Nadiya De La Vega (FR) 4-7fav (10-8) Tracked leader, hit 7th, led 4 out, ridden after next, blundered and rider lost iron 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, won at Kempton 2m nov chs (2) gs in Jan beating Pepe Simo (11-5) by 1l, 7 ran.
