tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on to go 2nd run in
led, ridden 3 out, joined next, pecked on landing and headed, weakened run in and lost 2nd
tracked leader, headway to join leader 2 out, soon led, ridden and ran on
NonRunner
Cornerstone Lad reverts to novice company having comfortably beaten more-experienced opposition at Wetherby when opening his account over fences. TOKAY DOKEY is clearly improving at a rate of knots, however, and getting 14lb from the top weight despite an 11lb rise for a facile success at Market Rasen. Ribble Valley was a useful hurdler but is having a first run over fences after a lengthy absence. Mackenberg made a winning chase debut at Musselburgh but will need to jump better over these stiffer obstacles if he is to defy a 4lb rise.
Cornerstone Lad 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, some way adrift 9th, rapid headway 4 out, chased leader 3 out, led 2 out, pulled clear last, driven out, won at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Across The Line (10-9) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Tokay Dokey (IRE) 6-5fav (11-8) Tracked leader, made smooth headway before 3 out, joined leader at 2 out, went clear after final fence, won easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Generous Day (11-3) by 13l, 5 ran.
Mackenberg (GER) 11-4 (11-4) Chased leader who went clear after 4th, closed when not fluent 9th, challenged 11th, led next, in command from 3 out, dived slightly at 2 out, went left last, ridden out flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Broadway Joe (10-13) by 5l, 4 ran.
Ribble Valley (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Close up in rear, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 11 1/4l behind Epatante (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (1) gd in Nov.
