held up in touch, took closer order 5 out, went 2nd next, effort 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, weakened flat
made all, jumped well, in command when not fluent last, easily
tracked leader, lost place 7th, mistake 5 out, soon outpaced, rallied approaching last, stayed on to go 2nd closing stages, no chance with easy winner
chased leaders, under pressure and well beaten in 5th when fell 4 out
chased leaders, went 2nd at 6th, not fluent 5 out, weakened after next
BORU'S BROOK has leading claims if taking to the larger obstacles. A dual winner over hurdles earlier this year, Jim Best's charge is just preferred to Vodka Wells. The latter scored on fast ground at Hexham during the summer but never threatened over these fences when third over the trip a fortnight ago. Never Up has won over timber but has plenty to find with the selection on handicap ratings while Telex Du Berlais failed to complete in a chase last time and point to point winner Dig Deeper has his first start over regulation fences.
Vodka Wells (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, not fluent, mistakes 3rd and 4th, challenged 4 out until mistake 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Katachenko (11-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Boru's Brook (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out, led narrowly when blundered badly next, not recover and quickly pulled up after, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Apr.
Dig Deeper 8-11 (11-7) Hdwy 11; led 14 til hdd 3 out; led by-passing last; rdn out, won at Brafield-on-the-green 3m mdn gd in Mar beating Milemilia (11-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Telex Du Berlais (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, mistake and weakened from 13th headway and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Never Up (GER) 16-1 (11-1) Held up, keen early, not fluent 6th, headway next, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 32 1/2l behind Lamool (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f (4) gd in Jun.
