prominent, led 11th to 14th, weakened after 3 out
led to 11th, remained prominent, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway 12th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up in rear, behind when jumped left 14th
chased leaders until ran out 9th
held up in touch, led 14th, headed 2 out, no extra from last
held up, headway after 11th, ridden 13th, chasing winner when blundered last, no impression
prominent until fell 10th
prominent, niggled along approaching 14th, weakening when not fluent last
mid-division, headway approaching 12th, led on bit 2 out, ran on well, readily
held up, towards rear when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway approaching 12th, mistake 14th, stayed on one pace from 2 out
raced wide, jumped slowly 3rd, always in rear
Nonrunner
Last year's winner Moustique De L'Isle comes into this with a similar profile to 12 months ago but this looks a stronger contest and preference is for Keenan's Future, while The King Of Angels is among those respected. Keenan's Future stayed on strongly over futher than this to win last time out, but he does handle this trip well and goes on good ground, and a 10lb rise should not be insurmountable with the way he won at Newton Abbot. Moustique De L'Isle is 11lbs higher than last year's win, but he has never won with out cut in the ground and that just puts us off supporting him for a repeat. The King Of Angels won a minor handicap chase at Stratford over a similar trip last time and with conditions again in his favour he looks a threat from a 8lb higher mark. Strong Resolve relishes this trip, acts on most ground and is 3lb below his highest win, so a big effort would be no surprise, while Lawyer Des Ormeaux is in good nick and also has a squeak despite top weight, but Keenan's Future is full of confidence and can take this.
Lawyer Des Ormeaux (FR) 7-2 (11-6) Chased leader, led 9th, mistake 2 out, soon headed and ridden, staying on when slightly checked flat, soon held, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Square Mile (11-10) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) gf in Sept.
Strong Resolve (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Led after 3rd, mistake and fell at the 12th in race won by Silver Sedge (10-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May, 13 ran.
Keenan's Future (IRE) 3-1fav (10-0) Held up, headway 14th, bumped 16th, ridden after 4 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jul beating Tom Sayers (11-4) by 5l, 9 ran.
Englishtown (FR) 7-2fav (11-1) Chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 6th of 12, 11l behind Itsmyboy (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
Aleron (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 11th, outpaced from 4 out, 5th of 14, 22l behind Iron Man (11-6) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in May.
The King of Angels (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-3) In touch, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept beating Baodai (11-3) by 2l, 9 ran.
Waynesworld (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Behind and struggling from halfway, 8th of 14, 17l behind Caipiroska (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
Pass The Class (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Mistakes, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 13, 21l behind Karelian (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf.
Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 9-1 (10-0) Always behind, ridden and lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Undeniable (10-3) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Baodai (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from last, 6th of 14, 6l behind Caipiroska (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
Hero Again (IRE) 3-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 11, 27l behind Tommy Spar (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
Henry's Pride (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 8th, led going well 3 out, drew clear between last 2, easily, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Classic Rock (11-2) by 14l, 11 ran.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Held up, mistake 4th, headway 4 out, every chance when jumped left last, found nil, 3rd of 18, 4l behind Full On (10-10) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Getinbybutonlyjust 13-2 (10-1) Held up, headway halfway, ridden 13th, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Whereareyounow (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
