prominent and came to lead at 9th fence, ridden and outpaced just before 3 out, kept on before 2 out, weakened after final fence
tracked leaders, made headway before 2 out, ridden and ran on after final fence, just held
led and headed just before 9th fence, ridden and dropped to rear at 12th fence, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, travelled strongly and made headway before 3 out, ridden and rallied before 2 out, joined leader at final fence, ran on well to lead close home, always doing enough
tracked leader, made headway and ridden to lead before 3 out, kept on before 2 out, headed after final fence, weakened close home
held up, mistake at 7th, pulled up before 9th fence
Reve is not the most consistent but won at Ludlow recently in reapplied cheekpieces. The headgear is left off today and he’s taken on with RED GIANT. The latter won before finishing second in this race last year with Brian Boranha back in fourth. He follows a similar pattern this season but is 7lb lower despite having scored at Musselburgh last time and Jennie Candlish’s charge gets the vote. Cracking Find will be sharper for last month’s outing at Wetherby and looks best of the rest.
Reve 4-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 3rd, led 11th, 2 lengths ahead when untidy last, stayed on strongly to go clear run-in, won at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Cape Robin (10-9) by 2l, 8 ran.
Mance Rayder (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, losing touch when badly hampered by faller 4 out, unseated rider, at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Red Giant (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Led, not fluent 1st and 9th, pushed along and reminders after 5 out, ridden and joined 4 out, stayed on strongly to assert from 2 out, kept on gamely, won at Musselburgh 3m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Do Not Disturb (11-3) by 6l, 4 ran.
Brian Boranha (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Never better than midfield, 6th of 9, dist behind Hewick (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Cracking Find (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, left in second 12th, pressed leader 4 out, ridden before 3 out, every chance when mistake last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 12 1/4l behind Soyouthinksoagain (11-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Blazer (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 14th, pushed along after 5 out, gradually faded, 7th of 9, dist behind Soyouthinksoagain (11-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
