took keen hold, waited with tracking leading pair, not fluent 3rd, mistake 4 out, closer order travelling well enough before next, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
chased winner, led 8th, mistake and headed 4 out, chased winner but no impression from 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace
led, hit 4th and next, headed 8th, led again 4 out, came clear from 3 out, kept on strongly, blundered last, eased flat
Fago is on a recovery mission having fallen when a hot favourite in a Grade 2 at Warwick earlier this month. He still has a couple of entries at Cheltenham but will have to jump better if here if he's to go The Festival and has to give weight to a couple of recent winners. Gallox Bridge made a winning start to his chase career at Market Rasen and should improve further but KAPGA DE CERISY handled these fences with aplomb at the start of the month when carrying top weight in a handicap and, at the likely odds, may just be the value on this occasion.
Fago (FR) 11-10fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 4th, pressed winner and going well when fell 2 out, in a race won by Majala (11-7) at Warwick 2m nov chs G2 (1) hvy, 5 ran.
Gallox Bridge 7-4fav (11-0) Made all, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs 0-125 (4) sft beating Volcan Surprise (10-12) by 14l, 5 ran.
Kapga De Cerisy (FR) 11-8fav (11-12) Made all, jumped well, driven 2 out, stayed on strongly (2 fences ommited), won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy beating Itoldyou (10-0) by 5l, 5 ran.