tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, outpaced 7th, left 3rd before 3 out, left about 5 lengths down at last, stayed on strong run-in, just held close home
held up towards rear, soon in rear, left poor 4th 3 out, left remote 3rd last
held up mid-division, bumped 4th, chased leaders after 4th, about 7 lengths down when left in lead 3 out, joined when left clear last, hard ridden run-in, just held on
tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd from 3 out, challenged and upsides last when fell
tracked leader, hit 5th, lost place after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
led, about 7 lengths clear and looking well in command when fell 3 out
Otto Quercus is sure to be popular here following his latest second at Musselburgh. He's only 4lb higher here while there's a good chance that Next To Nowhere will leave his hurdles form behind now tackling fences. Lucky Landing has disappointed so far, however, and more interesting is BISHOPS HEIR. Having been lightly campaigned over the last couple of years, he's taken time to find his feet over fences this term but his recent close second to Bocciani at Haydock suggests he's ready to open his account now.
Sergeant Pink (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) With winner, mistake and lost place 4th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Lady Bluesky (11-0) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Gentleman Jeff (USA) 40-1 (11-3) Always toward rear, 6th of 8, well behind Our Mick (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (5) gd in Nov.
Bishops Heir 11-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, left in lead next, jumped left and headed 2 out, switched left before last, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Bocciani (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Next To Nowhere (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, left in lead 3rd, headed just after last, faded flat, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Into Wain (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Zazamix (FR) 22-1 (10-7) Hampered 1st, left 4th next, left 3rd and last at 3rd, in touch 5th, outpaced 3 out (usual 4 out), no chance with leading pair when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Time Out (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 5 ran.
Lucky Landing (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in touch on inside, joined winner 9th, lost place after 3 out, 4th and held when blundered next, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 45l behind Circus Of Dreams (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Otto Quercus (FR) 6-1 (10-10) In touch, jumped left mainly throughout, led 2nd, headed last, ridden and kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Red Tanber (9-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.