held up mid-division, went 4th from 5 out, weakened before 4 out
tracked leaders, led 12th, headed 3 out, ridden before last, no extra run-in
led to 7th, tracked leaders, weakened before 6 out
close up, ridden before 4 out, led 7th, headed 12th, led 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed run-in, kept on
soon in rear, tailed off before 7 out, pulled up
held up in rear, outpaced 13th, plugged on to take 4th after last, never dangerous
tracked leader and raced wide, went 3rd before last, led run-in, kept on well
Cara Court is adaptable as to distance and won over 2m here two runs ago. The runner-up Bocamix contests the previous race. Salut Honore won at Towcester in November but has been well beaten twice since and both Mannered and Barnevelder were pulled up last time. Esme Rides A Gaine got up close home at Hexham last time but her wins have been few and far between and BENNYS WELL is surely the one to beat in this. He ran well enough in better company at Uttoxeter last time to suggest a third win over fences was just around the corner off his current mark.
Salut Honore (FR) 15-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, led next until after 5th, led before 6th until 3 out, no extra before last, 5th of 8, 16l behind Le Grand Chene (10-9) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.
Mannered 17-2 (11-5) With leader, led 6th, headed approaching 8th, weakened after next, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Baltic Pathfinder (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 6f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy, 8 ran.
Cara Court (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Chasing leader when fell 6th, in a race won by Pamak D'airy (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy, 6 ran.
Bennys Well (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Prominent, led 13th, headed 4 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner in clear 2nd from next, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Dark Glacier (11-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Barnevelder (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mistakes, in touch, dropped to mid-division 5th, lost place and reminder 10th, tailed off 13th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Presented (11-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Esme Rides A Gaine 20-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway to go 4th before last, kept on to lead close home, won at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec beating Fozy Moss (9-13) by shd, 14 ran.
Over And Above (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up, not fluent 3rd or 9th, last 14th, struggling 4 out, 7th of 8, 36l behind Great Ocean Road (9-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
