held up in last pair in touch, hit 7th, clear 4th after next, outpaced after 3 out, no chance with leaders from next, left moderate 3rd before last
held up in 3rd, went 2nd when hit 2 out, 4 lengths down and ridden before last, rallied briefly flat, well held towards finish
held up in last pair in touch, mistake 6th, struggling 8th, soon lost touch, left moderate 4th before last
tracked winner to 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, well held in 3rd when pulled up and dismounted before last
made all, driven after 2 out, 4 lengths clear when went left and blundered last, ridden when reduced advantage flat, kept on, well in command towards finish
Farleigh House is ultra-consistent and usually goes well around here but he's looking a few pounds high at present. He's been waiting for summer ground as has Bhaltair, a progressive hurdler who hasn't done quite as well over fences as expected though his stable remain in outstanding form. Take Of Shoc'S has failed to complete the course in two starts over fences but looked an improved performer over timber at Hereford last week and is well enough treated. MON CHEVALIER was always travelling nicely when gaining a convincing success at Wincanton and though raised 10lb his rider's claim can enable him to follow up.
Farleigh House (USA) 4-1 (11-3) Held up in last pair, not fluent 4th (water), headway to 3rd and not fluent 2 out, went 2nd and trying to close when mistake and stumbled last, no extra, not recover, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Wessex King (11-6) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Oct.
Mon Chevalier (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leading pair, challenged in 2nd soon after 8th, led approaching 4 out, clear when hit 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Thunder Child (11-4) by 9l, 8 ran.
Bhaltair (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Going Wrong (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gd in Nov.
Wild Desert (FR) 5-1fav (11-9) Not fluent, led untl ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Youngstown (10-12) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Take Of Shoc's (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Took keen hold, jumped left, led, not fluent 2nd, ridden and headed appraoching last, rallied flat, held close home, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Cruise In Style (10-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
