tracked leader, went badly left 1st, challenged 6th, led approaching 8th, clear 2 out, easily
tracked leading trio, went 3rd 4th, mistake 5th, went 2nd 8th, held from 2 out, driven and closed on eased down winner flat but never any chance
held up in rear, not fluent 4th ridden before next, went right 5th, no chance after
led, hit 4th, joined 6th, headed approaching 8th, soon lost 2nd, stayed on same pace in 3rd and no chance with leading duo from 4 out
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, hampered 1st, lost 3rd 4th, went right and mistake 7th, struggling in rear when blundered 4 out, tailed off
PENDRA's defeat of the equally well-regarded Eduard at Carlisle was a very solid first effort over fences and he can go on to better things. He will be a very short price to give weight to today's rivals. Marcus Antonius did win twice over hurdles but there is a big question mark against Jim Boyle's charge on heavy going. Ruapehu had winning form on the ground in point-to-points but may need more time while Regal Park was a huge disappointment over hurdles. Enchanting Smile also had plenty of chances over timber and is best watched on this occasion.
Pendra (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) In touch in 4th, went 2nd 8 out, led briefly 5 out, led again 3 out, ran on well, won at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) gs in Oct beating Eduard (11-2) by 4l, 7 ran.
Marcus Antonius 17-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 9, 23l behind Cool Baranca (10-10) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Sep.
Regal Park (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st or 3rd, bumped 6th, reminder after next, some headway 9th, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Proud Times (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft, 9 ran.
Ruapehu (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway on outside when blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Harbour Court (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd in May, 17 ran.
Enchanting Smile (FR) 66-1 (10-1) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Brinestine (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.