held up behind leaders, not fluent 7th, cajoled along from 9th, went 3rd after 2 out, stayed on, no impression on front pair
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway 3 out, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, well held before last
held up towards rear, took keen hold early, stepped at 6th, landed awkwardly and unseated rider
held up behind leaders, closed 8th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, driven into lead before last, soon headed, led narrowly after last, pressed all the way to the finish, held on
prominent, went 2nd 6th, led approaching 3 out, driven and headed before last, soon led again, headed soon after last, kept up strong challenge, just held
led, hit 1st, headed approaching 3 out, lost place before 2 out, went 4th when jumped left last, well held by leaders
held up behind leaders, well there after 3 out, outpaced and no impression after next
pressed leader until 6th, lost place 8th, behind 3 out
Nonrunner
The enigmatic Tidal Bay has his first run for the champion trainer but his inclusion ensures that stablemate OSCARGO only has 10st6lb to carry and he is much preferred. Still unexposed over timber, the latter took a while to warm to his task here last month but went readily clear of Kayf Aramis in the closing stages and can confirm that running with the runner-up, despite a hike in the weights. Get Me Out Of Here ran a cracker behind Oscar Whisky in a Grade 2 over 2m5f here last time but tries 3m for the first time and there is unlikely to be much hanging about today with front-runner Arctic Court in the field. Sir Harry Ormesher usually doesn't come good until the spring and was well beaten at Chepstow in October but is worth watching for future reference.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Mid-division on outside, blundered and unseated rider 10th, in a race won by Ballabriggs (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Sir Harry Ormesher 14-1 (11-12) Always behind, 17th of 18, well behind Arthurian Legend (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Oscargo (IRE) 4-6fav (10-13) Held up in last trio, chased leaders under presure 2 out, stayed on to lead approaching last, driven clear flat, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec beating Kayf Aramis (11-1) by 9l, 7 ran.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Held up in mid-division, ridden and struggling after 3rd, well behind 5th, plugged on last, 7th of 13, 37l behind Safran De Cotte (9-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Kayf Aramis 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, headed approaching last, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Oscargo (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Arctic Court (IRE) 17-2 (11-7) Led, hit 4th, clear 6th until 4 out, joined next, headed before 2 out, no extra into 4th before last, kept on pressing for 3rd, 4th of 12, 9l behind Sivola De Sivola (10-13) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
South O'The Border 11-1 (11-9) In touch, went 3rd 8th, outpaced next, stayed on from 2 out, unable to reach front pair, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Jaunty Journey (11-5) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Estates Recovery (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Prominent, hit 3rd, front pair went clear from 4th, lost place 10th, hit 12th, behind when mistake 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Swing Bill (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Nov.
Get Me Out Of Here (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair in touch, went 3rd after 2 out, challenged last, ridden and every chance when hung left flat, kept on, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Oscar Whisky (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Dec.
No Secrets (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Last pair, hit 4th, blundeered 6th, lost touch before 8th, tailed off when blundered 11th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Walkon (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
