led, jumped left and not fluent 7th, headed after 3 out, last next, soon weakened
tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 4 out, ridden after next, responded to chase leader approaching 2 out, led before last, hard pressed, edged right towards finish, held on
tracked leaders, not fluent 10th and pushed along, stayed on approaching 2 out, challenged winner before last, just held
tracked leader, slithered on landing 9th, led after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat
OSTLAND, a very useful performer on the Flat in Germany, did reasonably well over timber but chasing looks to be his game judging by an impressive debut success over Straw Bear at Fontwell and he looks one to follow. Cat Six took a long time to warm up over timber but made a fair start over fences at Fakenham and has all the allowances here. The front-running Downward Spiral will have these rivals stretched from the off and it was only at the second last that Paint The Clouds got the better of him here last time when Arkose couldn't go the pace and was well beaten.
Downward Spiral (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, soon held, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Paint The Clouds (11-5) at Towcester 2m 6f nov chs (4) gf.
Ostland (GER) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 7th, travelling best when led 3 out, came readily clear from next, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chase (4) gd beating Straw Bear (11-0) by 25l, 7 ran.
Arkose (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 1st, went 3rd 8th, not fluent 10th, lost touch next, 3rd of 5, 35l behind Paint The Clouds (11-5) at Towcester 2m 6f nov chs (4) gf.
Cat Six (USA) 6-1 (10-4) Led until 3rd, tracked leaders, chased winner 3 out, challenged last, chance when pecked on landing, ridden and kept on, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Rio Gael (11-0) at Fakenham 2m beg chase (4) gf.
