led, not fluent and headed 10th, ridden approaching next, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader, led 10th, clear after 3 out, ridden after last, no extra and headed towards finish
held up in touch in 4th, went 3rd approaching 5th, slightly outpaced 3 out, chased leader and about 6 lengths down after 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on to lead towards finish, held on well
in rear, hit 9th, soon struggling, tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd, hit 2nd, hit 5th, in rear from 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
Bensalem, Panjo Bere and Roll Along have all justified favouritism in this race and this renewal promises to live up to the standards set by previous winners with some interesting contenders going to post. The less than confident vote goes to HAVE YOU SEEN ME who rather lost his way over hurdles after a bright start in bumpers but looked back to his best when getting the better of Michael Flips at Towcester; the third has won since and he can hopefully build on that. Bouggler was placed in a Grade 1 over hurdles and is reported to have worked very well over fences, Sarando progressed well in that sphere and should make up into a useful chaser, Gee Dee Nen is better than he showed at Cheltenham whilst Gandalfe has shown ability and attracted support on his British debut over hurdles. This should be informative.
Gee Dee Nen 7-1 (11-11) Tracked leading pair, hit 11th, lost place next, soon outpaced, no chance from 3 out, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Rebel Du Maquis (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Have You Seen Me (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, made all, stumbled 5th, joined 2 out, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating Micheal Flips (11-3) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Bouggler 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, hit 6th, ridden 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 6th of 7, 25l behind Big Buck's (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Gandalfe (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Raced wide, led, mistake 5th, headed next, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, soon one pace and no chance with front pair, 3rd of 17, 20l behind Shoegazer (11-0) at Kempton 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Ray Diamond 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge approaching 5th, left in lead next, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Chain Of Command (11-2) at Kempton 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Sarando 10-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, behind 6th, never in contention, 7th of 13, 17l behind Mcmurrough (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) hvy in Apr.
