held up, some progress 4th, soon weakened
held up until 4th, soon under pressure, never nearer
led until 2nd, tracked leaders until weakening rapidly after 3 out
mid-division until halfway, soon
chased leaders until halfway, soon weakened, one-paced from halfway
chased leaders until 7th, soon weakened
held up in rear, steady progress to chase leaders 6th, prominent 2 out, not reach winner towards finish
behind until halfway, nearest finish
held up until 7th, progress to chase leaders 3 out, one pace from 2 out
always handy, pushed along and stayed prominent from 3 out, kept on well
always prominent, ran on from 3 out, nearest finish
led until 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, steady progress and chasing leader entering straight, one-paced from 3 out
always prominent, steady progress to track leaders entering start, led 2 out, ran on well
always prominent, led briefly 7th, soon under pressure, weakened rapidly
behind when pulled up before 2nd
Danegold (IRE) Ran well off a pound lower on first start this season but is 12 lbs higher than when second in last season's County Hurdle; hasn't won for a while and no easy task off top weight.
Or Royal (FR) He's a little unpredictable these days and reverts to hurdling; one-time smart chaser, it would be hard to fancy him too strongly.
Brandon Court (IRE) Ran unplaced on his first start this seasonon Feb 3; on last year's form he would go close here but there is a chance that he'll still need the run.
Smint (IRE) Lightly-raced last year and hasn't been seen for over a year; good efforts at up to three miles then; won first time out last year but was raised 20 lbs during the season; he's another who may just need this.
Romero Closely-weighted with Hugo de Perro on their Kempton run on Dec 26 (Spunkie well behind); Or Royal is slightly better off for beating him back in November, however, Romero has won off a slightly higher mark, likes Ascot and will appreciate this trip.
Harvis (FR) Raised 8 lbs from his handicap debut, he followed three wins with two falls; he's a little hard to weigh up but the handicapper hasn't exactly taken a chance with him.
Persian Waters (IRE) He's only 1 lb worse off for beating One Nation ten-and-three-quarter lengths at Cheltenham on Nov 12 (2m5f,good to soft/soft); runs well fresh and, if on top of his game, is entitled to run well.
Perfect Venue (IRE) Has been dropped 4 lbs since the start of the year; lightly-raced over the last two seasons but, if he improves for a step up in trip, can't be ruled out.
Seixo Branco Hard to weigh up on what he's achieved so far; trip and ground will be OK for him.
Mazileo Eye-catching effort on reappearance; was mainly chasing last season but was rated 128 over hurdles the season before; he handled soft OK on his reappearance after previously seeming to dislike it.
Docklands Limo One pound better off with Mazileo for their run at Cheltenham on Jan 27; this is a different day and a different trip; he's also closely-weighted with Hugo de Perro and Romero on their Kempton runs on Dec 26.
Hugo De Perro (FR) See Docklands Limo/Romero. Possibly has improvement in him; another to consider in a handicap that places many of them close together on literal form but where there is scope for improvement.
One Nation (IRE) Improving and has done well this season, but this would be tougher than any of the races he has won.
Spunkie Another novice contesting this valuable handicap; he was well beaten in the Hugo de Perro/Romero/Docklands Limo race at Kempton and has been raised 12 lbs since for two wins.
Shahrur (USA) He's very decent at his best and is rated 12 lbs lower than the best of his form; the downside is that he's been lightly-raced in recent times and fell on his last start.
Regal Holly She's been raised 16 lbs for her two handicap wins, the last one being a very game effort at Fontwell; such battling qualities will serve her well; she's entitled to some thought but will have to improve again to feature here.
Karowna You get the feeling that she has more ability than she's shown; she would need to step up on the bare evidence of her recent form, though.
Suplizi (IRE) Certainly retains some ability and the trip and ground will be OK for him; he's a novice and races from 6 lbs out of the handicap.
