jumped right, in rear, pulled up after 5th
raced wide in touch, outpaced 4 out, struggling when mistake 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along in 6th after 4 out, no chance when hit next
blundered 1st, held up in mid-division, bumped 11th, headway to 2nd on bit just before 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, driven out
in touch in mid-division, weakened soon after 9th, tailed off
held up towards rear, not fluent 8th and next, headway after 5 out, chased leading pair 3 out, stayed on to 3rd last until post
mistake 2nd and 6th, always behind, jumped right final 2, tailed off
chased leaders, went close 2nd at 9th, led next, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed pressing winner, no extra flat
in touch, hit 5th, went left and bumped 11th, chasing leaders when hit 4 out, stayed on to 3rd post
chased leader until 9th, weakened 5 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
led, narrowly headed 10th, chased leader until just before 4 out, weakened next
Battle Group has plenty of ability but isn't always inclined to use it. Bless The Wings is still high enough in the weights following last season's exploits, as is Auroras Encore and Sue Smith also saddles C&D winner Gansey. But the latter finished behind LEASE LEND on his reappearance over C&D last month and will struggle to reverse that form, despite slightly more favourable terms. Tim Easterby's nine-year-old was returning from a lengthy absence that day so should strip fitter now and he won off a higher mark here last year. Nez Rouge and Drever Route are best watched on their return but The Panama Kid is back on a winning mark and may be capable of a revival. Tiger O'Toole is only a novice but could also play a part.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Towards rear, reminders after 8th, soon weakened, 13th of 16, well behind I Have Dreamed (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Darna 16-1 (11-8) Held up, fell 8th, in a race won by Balthazar King (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Oct, 19 ran.
Battle Group 11-8fav (10-12) Led into start, tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and hung left, left 2nd and hampered last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Johnny's Way (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Bless The Wings (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Mid-division, hampered 5th, headway approaching 8th, ridden before 3 out, no extra next, 5th of 15, 21l behind Zitenka (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in May.
The Panama Kid (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Mistake 1st, always towards rear, 9th of 15, well behind Zitenka (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in May.
Lease Lend 28-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, tracked leader 8th, disputed lead approaching 4 out, kept on and every chance until ridden and no extra in 3rd final 50 yards, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Alvarado (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Tiger O'Toole (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leader until after 2nd, went 2nd again 5 out, rallied last, kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Fingal Bay (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Oct.
Gansey (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace, no impression before last, 5th of 12, 18l behind Alvarado (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Nez Rouge (FR) 17-2 (11-10) Held up, went 3rd 5th, led 10th, clear 3 out, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jul '11 beating I'm The Decider (11-12) by 29l, 5 ran.
Drever Route (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Towards rear, no chance when blundered 3 out, pulled up soon after, 8th of 10, well behind Wishfull Thinking (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan '11.
L'Eldorado (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Not fluent 1st, mid-division, chased clear pair 6th, one pace when mistake and lost 3rd 4 out, no danger after, 4th of 8, 20l behind Tiptoeaway (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
