led until after 3rd, jumped slowly next, soon lost place, kept on approaching 2 out, never a threat
tracked leaders, joined leader 8th, mistake 10th, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
chased leaders, hard driven approaching 13th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
held up, in rear, slow 5th and 6th, struggling 8th, soon beaten, behind when pulled up before 12th
chased leaders, under pressure 5 out, weakened after next, modest 4th
held up, in rear but in touch, under pressure halfway, weakened 11th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 5 out
prominent, led after 3rd, joined 8th, hard ridden 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well
Cabragh made his stamina count when making all over 3m2f at Sedgefield but found the opposition going too quick over 2m4f at Newcastle a few days later and isn't well handicapped here. But Western Jo ran well for a long way at Market Rasen last month and the assessor seems to have given him a chance as he's now 17lb lower than his hurdles rating. Copper Birch dead-heated over this trip at Ffos Las then won easily over shorter at Hereford. But he disappointed when well supported back at the former track and, though that run may have come too soon, he is now on a 7lb higher mark. Saroque has been running poorly though in better company than this and if anywhere near his best would be a threat to all. The lightly-raced PITHIVIER, a winning hurdler at Southwell just over a year ago, was returning from a long break and making his chasing debut at Wetherby in November. He didn't perform badly so, as he has more scope than these rivals, is handed the vote.
Saroque (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place 10th, soon in rear, 8th of 10, dist behind West Of The Edge (11-1) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Pithivier (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leader until after 1st, in touch, dropped off leaders 11th, closed 15th, ridden and no impression 4 out, hampered and left 3rd last, 3rd of 5, 10 1/2l behind Actinpieces (10-9) at Wetherby 3m (4) sft in Nov.
The Horsechesnut (IRE) 14-1 (12-3) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Cafe De Paris (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, baulked 6th, outpaced 18th, mistake and weakened next, 7th of 9, 33 3/4l behind Carloswayback (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Copper Birch (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) In touch, jumped slow 6th, soon lost place and outpaced, plugged on before 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 20 3/4l behind Johns Luck (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Western Jo (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Keen, set steady pace, increased pace approaching 3 out, ridden and headed soon after 3 out, faded flat, 4th of 5, 11l behind Susie Sheep (11-8) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Cabragh (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 2nd before 4 out until blundered badly next, weakened, not recover, 4th of 12, 14l behind Maxed Out King (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
