prominent, joined leader 5th, every chance 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, fell 2 out
led, joined 5th, headed 2 out, no extra closing stages
held up, in rear, smooth headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led 2 out, ran on strongly
tracked leader, lost place before 2 out
pulled hard, in touch, lost place 4 out
chased leaders, weakened before 4 out
held up, towards rear, headway 4 out, never on terms
mid-division, lost place after 5 out
in touch, blundered 1st, headway to chase leaders approaching 6th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
I'm A Game Changer had shown nothing before a fine run behind the long odds-on Sumkindofking at Southwell and further progress would see him in the frame here. Red Square Revival easily won a Worcester bumper in September and was well supported for his hurdling bow at Ayr in November but ran poorly and, though that wasn't his form, he's best watched. DERRYNANE had some strong bumper form in Ireland and though beaten at Carlisle on his debut for Donald McCain he travelled well for much of the way. He makes his debut over timber here and can make a successful start. War Creation won a bumper at Ayr for Stuart Crawford and has changed stables. The runner-up won his next race but has been well beaten in three subsequent starts over hurdles.
Ben Arthur (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up, towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 5th and no chance when went badly left 2 out, 5th of 13, 26 3/4l behind London Prize (10-12) at Leicester 2m (4) gd in Dec.
Derrynane (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up, towards rear, headway over 5f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 10, 8 1/2l behind Just Minded (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (6) gd in Nov.
Generous Day (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Prominent when hit 1st and unseated rider, at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Grand Coureur (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Blundered and rider lost iron briefly 1st, tracked leaders, outpaaced 4 out, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off, 7th of 15, dist behind Geordie Des Champs (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
I'm A Game Changer (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway from 4 out, left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Sumkindofking (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Red Square Revival (IRE) 7-5fav (11-0) In touch, chased leader before 7th, lost place after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when hampered next, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Miss Maiden Over (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Shininstar (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some headway into mid-division 4 out, never near leaders, tailed off, 8th of 13, dist behind Kayf Grace (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Sidsteel (IRE) 200-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 14, dist behind Top Ville Ben (11-2) at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) gs in Dec.
Sulamani The Late (FR) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 4 out, weakened before next, 10th of 14, dist behind Craggaknock (11-5) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Triopas (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In touch in mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, dist behind Just Milly (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
War Creation (IRE) 5-2 (10-9) Held up, headway and switched right over 2f out, edged left and led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Perth 2m (6) sft in Sep beating Woodfort (11-2) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Quarry Lami (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, dist behind Bandsman (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
