chased leader until 3rd, regained 2nd before 8th, led approaching 3 out, driven out
pulled hard, headway to chase leader 3rd, led 4th, clear 6th until after 11th, ridden and headed when mistake 3 out, weakened between last 2
prominent, blundered 5th, not recover, pulled up before 7th
raced keenly, led to 4th, chased leader until approaching 8th, soon weakened, tailed off 9th, pulled up before 2 out
held up, disputed 2nd from 8th until ridden 10th, outpaced from 11th, rallied approaching 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, stayed on, no impression
Green 'n' Gold deserves to get his head in front but Don McCain's gelding would probably prefer a softer surface so he may have to settle for a minor role again with the vote going to Square Mile ahead of Ange De Villez, who is rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has not been seen since being pulled up at Kempton in January but Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has his favoured ground here, remains unexposed and looks to have been found a decent opportunity to open his account over fences. Red Square Knight is lightly raced but has not been seen for six years so may be best watched. Double Mystery has given little cause of optimism over hurdles and has disappointed on the flat of late, while Irish raider Twofan has a long absence to overcome and may prefer a softer surface. The Paul Nicholls-trained Ange De Villez clearly has ability but has had his problems and a safer option looks to be Square Mile, who gets the vote.
Ange De Villez (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Held up, took close order and hit 8th, mistake 12th, soon weakened, beaten when pulled up 4 out in race won by Pole Star (11-6) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Double Mystery (FR) 9-1 (10-2) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd before halfway, 4th 3 out, 5th and no impression when mistake last, 5th of 9, 6l behind Kilcarrig House (10-2) at Cork 2m hcp hdle gf in Sept '05.
Square Mile (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway into mid-division 11th, soon weakened and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Lady of Scarvagh (11-10) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Twofan (USA) 33-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, trailing from before 3 out, 12th of 18, well behind Mattock Ranger (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs sft in Oct.
Guns of Love (IRE) 200-1 (11-4) Led until after 3rd, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Glinton (11-9) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Green 'n' Gold 7-4jt-fav (10-9) Held up in touch, headway 5th, led after next, not fluent and headed 10th, ridden 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Thedreamstillalive (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (4) hvy.
Red Square Knight (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) 2nd of 10, 12l behind Shaking Chief (12-0) at Brampton Bryan 3m ptp gs in Mar '04.
