tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 8th, struggling from 10th
held up in touch, lost place 8th, behind and pulled up after 9th
led headed approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on from 2 out, no extra flat
held up, ridden 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 6th, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, ridden out
always towards rear
held up in touch and keen, blundered 5th, lost place 7th, soon pulled up
tracked leaders and mistakes, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from last
with leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakend last
Tusk caught the eye last time and can account for Roman Ark, with Lord Payne and Trisons Star two others that can be involved. Tusk was quite useful on the Flat, scoring five times in all for Mick Channon, and then picked up two races over hurdles for Henrietta Knight. He seems quite adaptable, and based on two solid efforts since joining Harry Hogarth, the six-year-old can notch a first success over fences. He chased home subsequent winner Le Volfoni at Haydock before Christmas, leaving the distinct impression that he is crying out for two and a half miles. Conditions are in his favour today, and he can prove too good for Roman Ark. The latter was thought good enough to contest the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle last March and is also expected to make the grade over the bigger obstacles. He unseated behind Cerium on his chase bow at Aintree but shaped much better when second to Villon in heavy ground at Uttoxeter, despite jockey Fergus King not able to help much due to an injured shoulder. In-form Graham Lee takes over now and he, like the selection, will be suited to the step up in trip. Lord Payne finished clear of the rest when chasing home King Barry at Catterick, but has a bit to find on that form, and Trisons Star has been highly tried on two outings over fences thus far. Not a bad contest then, and one in which Tusk can come out on top.
Blackout (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) Behind, reminder halfway, lost touch 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Secret Drinker (10-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (F) hvy in Apr, 12 ran.
Dannymolone (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Weapons Inspector (11-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (E) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Junior Des Ormeaux (FR) 20-1 (11-2) In touch, led 7th to 15th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Weapons Inspector (11-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (E) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Lord Payne (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 4th, headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind King Barry (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (F) gd in Dec.
Roman Ark 9-2 (11-0) Held up, outpaced 8th, stayed on from 3 out, ran on well, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Villon (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (E) hvy in Dec.
Skenfrith 25-1 (11-1) Held up, some headway approaching 2 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 8, 22l behind Shares (10-8) at Ayr 2m beg chs (D) sft in Dec.
The Ample Hamper 3-1 (12-5) 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Mill Tower (12-5) at Point To Point 3m ptp gd in Mar.
The Associate (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Towards rear, reminder 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Wild Cane Ridge (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (E) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Trisons Star (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Tracked winner, led briefly after 9th, joined winner 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression approaching next, 2nd of 4, 25l behind Rebel Rhythm (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (E) sft in Dec.
Tusk 11-2 (11-2) Jumped left, led until 3 out, weakened approaching last, regained 2nd flat, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Le Volfoni (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov chs (C) sft in Dec.
Wild About Harry 25-1 (9-11) Chased leaders until fell at the 13th in race won by Precious Bane (10-4) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
