held up, closer order 7th, tracked leader 10th, led 13th, headed and weakened 2 out
held up, detached and pecked 10th, headway next, tracked leader 2 out, ridden and led last, driven out
with leaders, weakened 10th, pulled up before 4 out
led, headed 13th, ridden to lead again 2 out, held when headed last
tracked leaders, blundered badly and lost place 9th detached soon after, stayed on again to take 3rd close home
held up, lost place 8th, hampered 9th, ridden 3 out, plugged on
THE BIG CANADIAN is taken to relegate Captain Aubrey to the rank and file whilst Von Galen remains of interest. There is a degree of risk attached given that the selection was weakening when falling on his only run over fences to date and it's also a concern that he's rarely raced on a testing surface. His connections persevere though and so shall we as he has the ability to take a race of this nature although it's also worth noting that he's still without the blinkers that he wore successfully over hurdles. Captain Aubrey signed off for last season with a win here over three miles and half a furlong and returns to the scene of his success with his mark 7lbs higher. That's unlikely to be enough to stop him and he has won two of his four starts here; he's likely to be a popular selection. Von Galen appeals as the type to make up into a chaser and has already shown form in points so his run at Kempton has to go down as disappointing but he's only had five starts under Rules so can't be too harshly judged. Johnny's Kick has twice won here and is 2lbs lower than when winning on heavy ground at Huntingdon and appears to have plenty in his favour and looks to be running into form. Natoumba finished in front of him last time and should be able to confirm the form at the weights but he failed to run his race at Leicester whilst Brumous finds winning difficult and only has place claims. Some in the field have stronger claims at first glance than The Big Canadian but he may be able to make the required progress.
The Big Canadian (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until mistake and lost place 8th, soon driven along and fell 4 out in race won by Lidjo De Rouge (10-8) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd, 12 ran.
Captain Aubrey (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 8th, blundered badly 14th, effort before 2 out, challenged last, led and edged right flat, stayed on, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Mar beating The Ring (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Von Galen (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden and behind from 12th, blundered badly 3 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Ashwell (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 12 ran.
Jonny's Kick 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 6th, left 2nd when hampered 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 13, 18l behind Randolph O'Brien (11-5) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Natoumba (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up in rear, blundered badly 5th, not keen after, mistake 8th and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Pop Ahead (11-11) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 10 ran.
Brumous (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Held up, headway 8th, chased winner 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Plum Pudding (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
