led, headed 4th but remained in touch with leaders, pushed along before 2 out, ridden when briefly joined leaders before home turn, soon outpaced and struggling before last, weakened quickly run-in
raced in share of second throughout, pushed along when pressed for position before home, ridden before last, chased leader after last, ran on, just denied, game
held up last, not fluent 6th, took closer order before 2 out, ridden before last, outpaced off home turn, rallied and ran on to take modest third run-in, never in serious contention
held up, mistake 2 out but lost little momentum, soon shaken up and chased leaders before raced widest home turn, ran on when led before last, ridden run-in, kept on, just held on, game
held up, still going well when chased leaders from 2 out, every chance when ridden before home turn, struggling in third before last, weakened to fifth run-in
midfield, keen early, closed on leaders and disputed second on landing after 3rd, led 4th, quickened tempo 5th, good jump 3 out, hard pressed after home turn, struggling before last, gradually weakened
NonRunner
Applaus’ run here three weeks ago was too bad to be true but he’s in the veteran stage now. Juge Et Parti ideally needs further but he was second over course and distance last time and is rated higher over fences. Paddy The Horse has been chasing this year but won twice over the smaller obstacles here last season off higher marks. Though ZWICKY failed to complete his hat-trick at Doncaster, he was only beaten a length and is still improving. If he handles today’s going, he could get his head back in front. Beaumesnil looks best of the rest.
Applaus (GER) 7-2 (11-9) Led, headed 2nd, pushed along and lost position after 3 out, soon ridden and struggling, tailed off approaching last, last of 5, dist behind Serious Ego (10-12) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Teescomponentstrig 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division out wide, pushed along and weakened 2 out, last of 9, 18l behind Butler's Brief (11-11) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Zwicky 3-1fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway into midfield before 3 out where wandered, awkward head carriage approaching last, stayed on run-in, took 3rd near finish, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Immortal Fame (12-0) at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Juge Et Parti (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Held up off the pace in rear, outpaced after 2 out, soon ridden, made good headway on outer rounding home turn, led narrowly approaching last where headed, ran on, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Clovis Boy (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Beaumesnil (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, soon chased leader and led, not fluent 2 out, soon briefly headed, rallied to dispute lead approaching last, headed and no extra close home, 4th of 6, 6 1/2l behind Nadim (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Halpha Soleil (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Led, ridden and hard pressed home turn, soon headed and no extra, 6th of 15, 13 1/2l behind Noble Affair (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Paddy The Horse (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, never a factor, 4th of 6, 26 1/4l behind Bollingerandkrug (12-1) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
