led, hard pressed from 2 out, battled on gamely, headed final stride
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, challenged after last, led final stride
always behind
mid-division, effort after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
always behind
mid-division until 6th, soon behind
tracked leader, awkward 7th, challenged 2 out, every chance flat, no extra near finish
mid-division, headway approaching 9th, soon ridden, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, no further impression from next
hit 3rd, always mid-division
in touch, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
tracked leaders until weakened 9th, mistake 3 out, pulled up flat
always behind
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden after 3 out, gradually faded
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear
Nonrunner
A big field here where Or Sing About, Tony Alcala and Menelaus can all go well and the vote goes to Toni Alcala. Useful over 10f on the flat, the eight-year-old has taken well to hurdles and acts on a sound surface. The return to this longer trip will be in his favour and he is still on a decent mark. Or Sing About will be popular in trying to complete a hat-trick here. Seamus Mullins' gelding won a couple of good ground novices' handicaps in the summer and has not been seen since. However, he has not yet won when fresh and the yard is not red hot at present so we will take him on. Menelaus has gone up 9lb for winning a Towcester handicap hurdle and acts on any ground, so he can put up another bold display, while Sandymac will be better back on this surface but has yet to prove he stays this far. This is probably not as competitive as the size of the field suggests and Toni Alcala is the pick.
Glacial Sunset (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Chased leader to 6th, weakened quickly after 3 out, last of 8, 20l behind Chomba Womba (10-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
National Trust 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and every chance approaching last, blundered last, not recover, 4th of 11, 13l behind Hill Forts Timmy (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Almizan (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Hit 2nd, never travelling in rear and pulled up 4 out in race won by Big Al (9-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 7-2co-fav (11-8) Held up, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, soon headed, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 7l behind Nudge And Nurdle (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sept.
Toni Alcala 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division until weakened approaching 7th, 13th of 16, well behind Lodge Lane (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Cosmic String (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Soon struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Eden Linty (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov, 20 ran.
Markington 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 7th of 14, 26l behind Deep Reflection (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Or Sing About (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 7th, led after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, jinked left last, soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 13, shd behind Naomh Aaron (11-10) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun. Later awarded race.
Odiham 10-1 (9-13) In touch, headway 4th, outpaced 2 out, 9th of 11, 16l behind Jack The Giant (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Love Angel (USA) 12-1 (11-5) Close up, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 9, 25l behind Grecian Groom (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Menelaus 13-2 (11-0) Always prominent, led approaching 7th, clear approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov beating Push The Port (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
No Greater Love (FR) 8-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, ran on flat, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Esprit de Corps (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Orange Street 16-1 (11-11) In touch, chased leader from 3 out until weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 16, 26l behind Saunders Road (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Pulled hard towards rear, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on well from last, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind El Batal (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
I'm Supreme (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Chased leaders until mistake and weakened 6th, soon tailed off, 20th of 21, well behind Newton Bridge (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Sandymac (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Behind, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on but never troubled leaders, 5th of 18, 17l behind The Tother One (10-8) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Premier Hope (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Compton Star (9-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Izzykeen 10-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, outpaced 7th, ridden, kept on one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Accordello (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
