led until after 1st, led 4th, clear when stumbled 2 out, ran on well, pushed out
took keen hold, led after 1st until 4th, hit 8th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, jumped right 9th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
held up in last pair, lost touch approaching 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in last pair, mistake 7th, ridden and lost touch from next, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 7th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner next, one pace
This represents a considerable drop in grade for Star Of Germany but David Pipe's 11-year-old has been well below his best for a while now. Trooper Clarence is improving at a rate of knots over fences and should easily confirm recent Stratford running with Mibleu, winner of this two years ago, as Adam Wedge's claim negates his penalty. But WON MORE NIGHT left previous form over fences well behind when winning by eight lengths over C&D earlier this month. She gets a huge amount of weight from her principal rivals today and is poised to score again.
Trooper Clarence 9-2 (10-1) Took keen hold, led 1st, clear before last, very easily, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf beating Marley Roca (10-10) by 15l, 8 ran.
Star of Germany (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) In touch until weakened 9th, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Dave's Dream (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Mibleu (FR) 11-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 3rd, hit 8th, chased winner 3 out, no impression when mistake last, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 25l behind Trooper Clarence (10-1) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
Ouste (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Towards rear, struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Petit Fleur (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Aug, 12 ran.
Sadler's Star (GER) 12-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway 6th, went 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Sky Calling (10-12) at Worcester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Won More Night 3-1fav (10-12) Behind until headway to track leaders on inside 3rd, challenged 2 out, led between last 2, driven clear flat, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf beating Sir Bumble (11-7) by 8l, 6 ran.