jumped well, led, narrowly headed 3 out, pressed leader, led again soon after 2 out, pressed last, driven and stayed on strongly to draw clear flat
held up towards rear, not fluent and bumped 6th, headway approaching 11th, travelling well in 5th after 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, keeping on in 3 lengths 3rd when blundered badly and sprawled 2 out, went 4th flat, not recover
chased leaders, went 2nd 13th, led narrowly 3 out, stumbled 2 out, and headed soon after, chased winner, ridden between last 2, rallied last, no extra flat, kept on for clear 2nd
chased leaders, challenging for 2nd when blundered 12th, chased leaders, disputing well held 3rd fom 2 out until last, weakened flat
held up in 6th, pushed along and outpaced 10th, last and struggling 12th,
held up in touch in 5th, blundered and outpaced 4 out, short lived effort before next, soon beaten, went right and blundered last
chased winner, not fluent 5th, reminders before 12th, lost 2nd next, chased leading pair under pressure until 2 out, rallied to 3rd again last, no chance with leading duo
in touch, not fluent and bumped 6th, not fluent and pushed along next, weakened 4 out
blundered badly and rider lost iron briefly 1st, held up last, went left and not fluent 7th, headway on outside before 3 out, disputing well held 3rd next until last, weakened flat
This well-contested novices' handicap was won last year by recent Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Johns Spirit and Jonjo O'Neill will be hoping that stablemate FOUNDATION MAN can follow suit. Despite being raised 6lb for last month's win at Kempton, he may still be well treated as that was only his second run over fences and seventh start in total. Royal Guardsman found Tempest River too good when favourite at Huntingdon but this might be more his trip over fences. The Italian Yob probably came up against a smart novice at Exeter last time but Silver Commander isn't really improving and Doctor Foxtrot may need more time. Roger Beantown was well beaten at Chepstow last time but Miss Ballantyne could figure if taking to the larger obstacles.
The Italian Yob (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Led until 7th, stayed 2nd, jumped right 4 out and 2 out, beaten last, eased towards finish, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Valdez (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Royal Guardsman (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Not fluent, keen led and soon well clear, reduced lead 2 out, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Tempest River (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Roger Beantown (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, blundered 5th, pushed along before 5 out, one pace, 5th of 8, 19l behind Flaming Charmer (10-9) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Silver Commander 12-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division on inside, headway to chase leaders 10th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Deciding Moment (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Doctor Foxtrot (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, 5th and one pace before last, 5th of 10, 10l behind Gores Island (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
Miss Ballantyne 10-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 7th, went 2nd before 3 out, led before headed 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd and one pace between last 2, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Polly Peachum (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f mares nov hcp hdl Listed (1) gs in Apr.
Foundation Man (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 2nd to 4th, led 5th, pushed along before and headed 10th, reminders before 11th, led 3 out, kept on well, driven out, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov beating Upton Mead (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Xaarcet (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 9th, close 4th when badly hampered 4 out, not recover and weakened, mistake 2 out, 4th of 8, 23l behind Sergeant Dick (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Ballincurrig (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 3 out, challenged next, ridden and every chance flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Bernardelli (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m (4) sft in Nov.
