held up in touch, ridden to lead last, edged left flat, driven out
held up, progress 7th, pushed along after 3 out, soon slightly outpaced, rallied and switched right before last, ridden and kept on one pace flat
with leader, every chance when hit 2 out, soon ridden, ran on flat
led, pushed along when headed and mistake last, ridden and weakened flat
held up, headway 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
held up last, niggled along and struggling before 2 out
not jump well, prominent until weakened 3 out
Falco Blitz probably has the best form having contested tough Cheltenham handicaps the last twice but does have to carry a 6lb penalty. Thegallantway is also penalised and hasn’t improved much on his Exeter victory in October. Blackfinch has failed to win in a couple of starts at Southwell but Killer Clown may be improving and Bit On The Side should do better over hurdles than in bumpers. FAUSTINOVICK (NAP) hasn’t quite been getting home but hopefully a wind operation and a tongue-tie will have sorted out that problem and he remains a novice of some potential.
Falco Blitz (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders on inside after 2 out, every chance last, soon ridden, kept on, no extra towards finish, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Goodbye Dancer (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Thegallantway (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway chasing leaders and ridden before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 8, 6l behind Kansas City Chief (10-13) at Taunton 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Blackfinch 9-4 (10-12) 2nd or 3rd, not fluent 5th, led after 3 out, headed and ridden after next, still every chance when inconvenienced by lose horse and mistake last, held flat, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Keen On (11-4) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
Faustinovick 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along and went 2nd 3 out, left in lead 2 out, headed before the last where mistake, weakened into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Sevarano (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Nov.
Killer Clown (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Tracked leader 2nd until before 3 out, chased leaders, lost 3rd approaching next, weakened between last 2, 5th of 11, 12l behind The Big Breakaway (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Vital Sign (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, chased leaders approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Oscarsman (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Bit On The Side (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place and pushed along 10f out, stayed on final 2f, no impression, 4th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Vegas Blue (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m lst (1) gs in Dec.
