not always fluent, held up, headway to track leaders 4th, slow 16th and ridden, not fluent next (4 out), staying on in 4th when blundered 2 out, rallied before last, stayed on to 2nd flat, no impression on winner
prominent, went 2nd 3rd, led 11th, narrowly headed 14th, led again next, narrowly headed 4 out, led again after 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened between last 2
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, blundered and unseated rider next
held up in last pair but never far away on inside, headway to track leaders 14th, effort to lead 2 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly
led, bumped 1st, narrowly headed 11th, chased leader, led again 14th, headed next, led again 4 out, headed after next, still pressing leaders 2 out, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner, no extra in 3rd flat
held up in last pair but in touch, headway 14th, travelling well in close 4th when fell 3 out
went left 1st, tended to jump left after, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 15th, tailed off
BOBS WORTH was never going the pace when third to Grands Crus in the Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day and has a little to find with runner-up Silviniaco Conti on that run. However, that was only his second defeat under Rules and this stiffer track will suit him better than his old rival, whose best form previously was over shorter. The hat-trick-seeking Baile Anrai needs to improve but stays well as does Alfie Spinner, though he has something to find with the likely market rivals on a line through Grands Crus. Invictus should appreciate the step up to 3m and Helpston has been on an upward curve this winter, but Our Island is still chasing a first win over fences and was out on his feet when tailed off in the Welsh National last time.
Bobs Worth (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th, hit 12th, chased leading pair 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, no impression, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Grands Crus (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 10-3 (11-7) Mistake 1st, tracked clear pair, close up 10th, went 2nd 13th, effort before 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, no impression, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Grands Crus (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Helpston 10-1 (9-9) Prominent, challenged, last, kept on flat, 2nd of 13, 1l behind According To Pete (9-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Invictus (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th or 11th, left 3rd 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, beaten when mistake last, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Champion Court (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Led until after 1st, chased winner, ridden 3 out, 3 lengths down 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Frascati Park (11-8) at Warwick 3m nov chs (2) gs in Jan.
Baile Anrai (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Held up tracking leaders, headway to 2nd 13th, closed from last, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Jan beating Valid Point (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Our Island (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 16th, weakened before 5 out, 6th of 20, 47l behind Le Beau Bai (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
