always prominent, went clear 2nd 3 out, challenged next, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well flat
mistakes, in touch, switched outside 7th, blundered 9th, challenged 13th, jumped left and blundered next, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, rallied to chase winner flat, no impression
tracked leader, lost place 11th, ridden and outpaced 5 out, rallied to chase leading pair after 3 out until lost place and hit last
in rear, struggling 14th, soon tailed off
led, ridden and hard pressed 2 out, headed when blundered last, soon lost 2nd, no extra flat
Nigel Twiston-Davies has two runners in this grade 2 contest with Petitfour, who looked held before unseating two out at Newbury last time in November, easily the pick of his duo ahead of Diablo, but both are likely to have to settle for minor honours behind BURTON PORT. Nicky Henderson's gelding has shown improved form this term since being put over fences with wins at Bangor, Lingfield and Southwell and only meeting defeat once when running over the brush hurdles in a competitive contest at Haydock in November. The race that he won at Lingfield was a grade 2 event and the son of Bob Back can win his second race in the grade today. Bob Buckler has his string in good form but Ballygulleen will need to improve on all known form to trouble the judge and of more interest may be Knockara Beau, who has shown a decent level of form over fences this term, winning three times and twice finding just one too good in this grade. He looks the main danger to the selection, Burton Port.
Burton Port (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) Held up, smooth headway from 11th, led approaching 3 out, easily, won at Southwell 3m nov chs (3) sft beating The Sliotar (11-4) by 14l, 5 ran.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Disputed lead until went on 5th, ridden when hit 3 out, soon headed, rallied between last 2, held flat, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Weird Al (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) sft.
Pettifour (IRE) 5-4fav (11-9) Tracked leading pair, hit 1st, chased winner 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, no chance when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Michel Le Bon (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) gs in Nov, 4 ran.
Ballygulleen (IRE) 18-1 (9-8) Behind when mistake and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Fine By Me (9-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Diablo (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Raced wide, chased leader, led 11th, narrowly headed 4 out, stayed challenging, every chance 3 out, ridden before 2 out, disputing 2nd, no chance with winner when blundered last, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Quattrocento (11-9) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
