tracked leaders on outside, outpaced before 3 out, soon ridden, 5th and no impression next, rallied before last, stayed on to press winner flat, always just held
tracked leaders, driven before 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression from last
with leader, led 5th, headed 4 out, led again narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, held on gamely flat, all out
held up in rear, pushed along when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders on inside, ridden after 2 out, one pace when mistake last, no impression flat
prominent on outside, mistake 4th, driven after 5 out, lost place next, weakened from 3 out
led narrowly to 5th, tracked leaders, led again 4 out, headed narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, every chance last, kept on until no extra in 3rd final 110 yards
NonRunner
Didero Vallis was disappointing on his first run for Venetia Williams at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago in a race in which Caventara was pulled up. Luckofthedraw won here in October but quickly lost touch against more experienced chasers at Aintree next time. Spider's Bite jumped well when a promising second at Ascot but has been done no favours by a 5lb rise. Trongate is still improving and reunited with Brian Hughes while Ryalex, a wide-margin winner here last month, has improved lately but Reverant Cust only won a beginners’ chase at Catterick which has sent out mixed messages. SLANELOUGH seems to like it here and would have found the going quick enough in what was probably a decent contest at the track in October - better is expected today.
Luckofthedraw (FR) 7-2fav (11-7) Mid-division, not jump well, lost place 2nd, well beaten from 4 out, 8th of 11, 36 1/2l behind Yorkist (11-5) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Slanelough (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in touch in rear, pushed along in 4th when hit 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, 17l behind Delire D'Estruval (11-2) at Carlisle 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Didero Vallis (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, mistakes 1st and 2nd, soon lost place, under pressure 11th, soon tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Polydora (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Reverant Cust (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway when left tracking front pair 11th, jumped into lead 2 out, clear before last, ridden out, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov beating Braavos (11-2) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Trongate (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 10th, blundered 5 out, every chance 2 out, led before last, held on well under pressure, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Asum (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Caventara 12-1 (10-6) Behind, mistake 1st, blundered badly 13th, soon beaten, pulled up 6 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Ryalex (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-10) Chased (clear) winner, blundered 10th, closed quickly before 3 out, upsides and every chance when not fluent 2 out, hung right and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Hard Station (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Spider's Bite (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 11th until before 15th, 2nd again 2 out, ridden before the last, every chance early run-in, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind King Of Realms (11-8) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
