held up, headway halfway, led 5 out, strongly challenged 2 out, jumped left last, soon headed, no extra flat
led until 5 out, weakened after next, modest 4th
tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, lost place 5th, rallied 4 out, soon no impression
chased leaders, jumped slowly throughout, lost place after 3rd, headway to go 3rd after 2 out, ran on, never reached leaders
always prominent, every chance 2 out, led just after last, kept on well under pressure
Tornado In Milan was an early casualty at Ludlow on Wednesday and will have to prove that was only a blip. Under the circumstances, Wings Of Smoke may be a better bet here as he wasn't disgraced when trying to win a Newbury conditionals' race for the second time last month. Arctic Ben is better than he showed at Doncaster last time but is suited by better ground. UN GUET APENS is still seeking a first victory over fences but has hinted at ability and has conditions in his favour. These stiff fences will test his jumping but he's not badly treated so gets the nod.
Wings Of Smoke (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) In rear, blundered 8th, headway 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 8, 19l behind Highway Code (11-9) at Newbury 2m 2f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gs in Nov.
Arctic Ben (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Prominent until jumped slowly 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Off The Ground (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Thouva (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Waited with, not fluent 9th, moderate 7th approaching straight, soon no extra and pulled up before last, in a race won by Another Palm (10-12) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp chs gf in Jul, 16 ran.
Tornado In Milan (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) In touch, fell 1st, in a race won by Last Shot (11-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 6 ran.
Un Guet Apens (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, one pace in 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Simply Ned (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Granville Island (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Held up towards rear and keen, ridden before 3 out, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 5th of 6, 9l behind Firth Of The Clyde (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
