chased winner until after 4 out, lost 2nd next, blundered last, lost 2nd again run-in
held up behind leaders, nudged along from 7th, blundered 10th, fell next
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, five lengths 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
made all, slow jump 1st, ridden after 4 out, five lengths clear when mistake 3 out, driven out
chased leaders until dropped rear 6th, soon lost touch, stayed on again from 3 out, went 2nd towards finish
mistake 2nd, struggling 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 11th
Mendo, O'Maley and Noble Ben are the shortlisted trio here with O'Maley taken to make up for a mishap last time. Mendo has won his last three races over hurdles and makes his chasing bow here. He enjoyed the testing conditions at Cheltenham last time but the ground is quicker here and he will improve for the experience. Noble Ben is still a novice over hurdles but he has shaped encouragingly, especially when chasing home the useful Gansey last time. He may be under-rated here but can go well here. O'Maley was a little disappointing on his fencing bow at Bangor and fell next time at Newbury but Paul Nicholls will know where he stands with Noble Ben on a line through his Gansey, and O'Maley can put his experience to good use and take this.
Jean Le Poisson (FR) 15-2 (11-1) Close up until dropped to rear 6th, headway 9th, driven after 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Hobbs Hill (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Mendo 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leader after 2 out, led last, driven and stayed on strongly flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov beating Vale Of Avocia (10-11) by 1l, 19 ran.
Noble Ben (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 7th, led 4 out, headed flat, one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Gansey (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
O'maley (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Prominent when fell in race won by Sir Bathwick (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs, 8 ran.
Shardakhan (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 4th, challenging for 3rd, no chance with front pair when slipped on bend before 3 out, weakned soon after, 4th of 6, 46l behind Pauillac (10-7) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
The Chisholm (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, lost place over 3f out, 12th of 16, well behind Blackpool Billy (10-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (4) sft in Nov.
