tracked leader, led 3 out, headed after next, rallied last, kept on same pace
behind, mistake 8th, lost place 10th
held up towards rear, under pressure 12th, soon beaten
tracked leaders, not fluent 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 12th, chased leaders 2 out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge last, no extra towards finish
in touch, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well
held up, headway 7th, under pressure 10th, blundered, unseated rider 12th
led, not fluent 5th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
Nonrunner
Not the worst handicap chase we've ever seen and Champagne Harry looks the one to be on, with Balladeer respected and others in with a chance. Champagne Harry is ultra consistent, having won three of his last five starts and been second on the other two occasions. Those who follow sequences may want to oppose here, but those who follow form will see that the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained gelding was a very easy scorer at Perth over a similar trip last time. He jumps well, handles good ground, and despite top weight he may be ahead of the assessor here on his handicap debut, so he is taken to score. Balladeer has been rested since pulling up at Newbury at last year's Hennessy meeting. He handles a sound surface well and thrives at this trip, so if he is straight enough he can get heavily involved. Ronald Jack won a poor Towcester maiden chase last time for David Pipe but under that handler he could turn out to be anything and an eye on the market is advised. Rash Moment was a c&d scorer last time and with his claimer up he has a feather weight to carry here, so can't be dismissed lightly, while The King Of Angels also has solid enough form over fences so far to be considered a leading light here. But Champagne Harry has some very good recent form and experience and can add another win to his tally.
Champagne Harry 4-11fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, blundered 12th, smooth headway, every chance 3 out, soon led, driven out, won at Perth 3m nov chs (4) gs in Aug beating Lerida (10-12) by 11l, 4 ran.
Balladeer (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up, driven along 15th, soon struggling and pulled up 4 out in race won by Lou Du Moulin Mas (11-4) at Newbury 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Liverpool Echo (FR) 6-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, reminders after 7th and 9th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 9, 36l behind Tamango (11-8) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jul.
Ronald Jack (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 9th, ridden throughout, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gd in Jun beating Tavalu (11-0) by 6l, 10 ran.
Moonlit Harbour 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakening when fell at the 10th in race won by Love That Benny (11-9) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Aug, 10 ran.
Baodai (FR) 11-1 (10-10) Mid-division, chased winner approaching next, ridden and kept on 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 14l behind Rakalackey (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
The King of Angels (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) Mid-division, blundered 4th, headway 11th, hard ridden approaching last, kept on flat, gaining near finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Sparkling Taff (10-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Rash Moment (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, chased winner last, led over 1f out, kept on, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Aug beating Lord 'n' Master (10-0) by 7l, 12 ran.
September Moon 12-1 (11-12) Left in lead 1st, blundered and headed 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on one pace from 3 out, 4th of 16, 22l behind Hurlers Cross (9-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Once A Brownie (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leaders until lost place 4th, some headway into 4th when pecked 11th, soon ridden, no further impression, 4th of 8, 17l behind Millards Lad (11-8) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Aug.
