tracked leaders, outpaced 13th (valentines), weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, blundered and rider lost iron breifly 1st, mistake 5th, jumped slowly next, pulled up before 7th
led 2nd until 3rd, led 5th, headed when pecked 10th (bechers brook), weakened 2 out
chased leaders, hit 9th, outpaced when hit 13th (valentines), weakened 4 out
mid-division, mistake and lost place 10th (bechers brook), jumped very slowly 12th (canal turn), pulled up before 4 out
led until 2nd, led 3rd until 5th, led 10th (bechers brook), headed 3 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, hit 11th, led 3 out, headed last, led again approaching elbow, just held on
towards rear, mistake 1st, ridden 5th, pulled up before 10th (becheers brook)
towards rear, not fluent 1st, blundered and unseated rider 3rd (the chair)
soon in rear, jumped slowly 5th, blundered 9th, tailed off
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd (the chair), behind 10th (bechers brook), headway from 15th, no impression after 2 out, went well held 3rd after last
in rear until pulled up before 10th (bechers brook)
mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway 8th, mistake next, jumped right 13th (valentines), went 2nd approaching 2 out, led when mistake last, headed approaching elbow, soon not much room and switched right, stayed on, just held
chased leaders, fell 7th
FRANKIE FIGG thrives over the imposing obstacles and jumped his rivals silly in this race 12 months ago. He's 4lb higher now and has changed stables since but regular pilot Brian Hughes is back on board and he probably need last month's run at Sandown. Runner-up last year, Nikola renews hostilities on the same terms but won over 3m1f on the Mildmay course here in October while Fine Parchment has his sights lowered a little after finishing ninth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. Irish import Stewarts House is also interesting after a solid second at Cheltenham while Down Royal second Linnel is still open to further improvement under Rules. Buffalo Bob is starting to come down the weights again and could also be dangerous but Nomecheki and Santa's Son may be better over shorter.
Fine Parchment (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) In touch, pushed along approaching 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 20, 39l behind Great Endeavour (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Nomecheki (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Led until after 6th, went 2nd 4 out until 3 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last, 10th of 17, 24l behind Tanks For That (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Santa's Son (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed after 2 out, ridden and rallied last, every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Nikola (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
The Sawyer (BEL) 100-1 (11-1) Chased leader until 8th, soon behind, struggling in last pair 10th, tailed off, 4th of 6, 40l behind Master Minded (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.
Got Attitude (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and weakening when mistake 4 out, 16th of 19, well behind Dorset Square (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Frankie Figg (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Took keen hold, narrow lead at good pace until headed approaching 4th, stayed pressiing until 7th, went 2nd again next, challenged 9th, led again 4 out, mistake and headed next, weakened before 2 out, eased, went left last, tailed off, 7th of 9, 47l behind Roudoudou Ville (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
Stewarts House (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 7th, went 3rd 9th, led approaching 14th, blundered next, soon headed, led after 4 out, headed 3 out, stayed on under pressure, no impression on winner final 125 yards, no extra, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Swing Bill (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Nov.
Nikola (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, tracked leading pair 14th, went 2nd 3 out, led after next, ridden and hard pressed flat, held on gamely towards finish, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct beating Santa's Son (11-7) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Pilgrims Lane (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked clear leading pair until not fluent and lost place 7th, modest 5th when hit 13th, stayed on to 4th after 3 out, kept on from next but never going pace to threaten, 4th of 9, 9l behind Roudoudou Ville (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
Sun Tzu (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) With leaders on inside, lost place approaching 14th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 17th, in a race won by Neptune Equester (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Led, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, chased winner until 2 out, weakened befor elast, 3rd of 13, 24l behind That'lldoboy (10-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
No Panic (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) In touch, pushed along 12th, reminders next, ridden and outpaced from 4 out, 4th of 5, 31l behind My Moment (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Linnel (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd 3 out, challenged 2 out, left 2nd, ridden and no extra before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Leggy Lad (11-3) at Down Royal 2m 6f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Nov.
High Jack (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Close up, ridden 12th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, 23l behind Prophete De Guye (11-6) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Nov.
