led 2nd, ridden clear 10th, headed after 4 out, jumped slowly 3 out, finished very tired
in rear, mistake 2nd and not jumped well, tailed off 4th, pulled up after 5th
in touch and mistake 1st, mistake again 10th, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, headway to track leader 7th, weakened 4 out, blundered 2 out
led, headed 2nd, hit 8th, weakening and lost touch when pulled up before 10th
held up, headway 10th, joined leader 4 out, led and clear soon after, ran on well
tracked leaders, headway 9th, mistake and weakened 11th
Lilium de Cotte has been off since March but we saw on Friday how capable Nicky Henderson is at producing a horse fit after an absence so lack of a recent run need not be a worry and he is preferred to Noisetine and Royal Atalza. The last mentioned looked a horse to keep on the right side of after making an encouraging reappearance at Wetherby in October but disappointed last time and may not be one to trust implicitly. Yeoman's Point has claims on his hurdles form but has yet to show that he is as effective over fences and a bigger threat may come from Ibal, who will be well suited by every drop of rain that falls before the tapes go up. Noisetine hails from the in-form stable of Venetia Williams and has to be respected along with Noel Chance's Killultagh Storm, who has dropped to a fair mark. Kadito may well bounce and a safer proposition looks to be Lilium de Cotte, who has plenty in his favour if fit enough for his return.
