tracked leaders, slow 9th and 20th, went 2nd 26th until after 3 out, not fluent and weakened next
mid-division, hampered 10th, gradually lost place, slow 25th, stumbled next, behind 27th, soon pulled up
led until after 1st, led next, headed 4th, prominent until 25th, weakened next, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 10th, slow 12th, headway 21st, not fluent 27th, went 2nd after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, 4 lengths down last, stayed on, led last stride
held up rear of mid-division, mistake 18th, headway 21st, lost place 25th, no impression after, plugged on
in rear, mistake 10th, slow 20th, slithered badly on landing 21st and rider lost whip, behind when pulled up before 24th
led after 1st, headed next, led 4th, headed 18th, weakened 29th, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 18th, 4 lengths ahead last, headed last stride
led into start, behind, hit 9th, mistake next, not fluent 14th, headway 29th, went 3rd 2 out, unable to get on terms
NonRunner
Some of these will be a getting a first taste of cross-country fences but not Kingswell Theatre, who beat Beau Du Brizais five lengths here four weeks ago with Vivas fifth and Little Bruce last of the seven finishers. Tom Scudamore’s veteran will be in the van again and can race off his correct mark today. Neverushacon beat Some Neck almost 15 lengths over the bank fences at Punchestown last month and rates a danger. Fellow Irish raider Out Sam is also interesting after his fifth in the Cork Grand National but will take a chance that STEP BACK rises to this new challenge. A former winner of the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, he’s been enjoying a revival lately and will likely be staying on when others have cried enough.
Step Back (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Made all, led, pressed 3 out, ridden along and led narrowly 2 out, responded gamely when challenged on both sides at the last, kept on run-in, brave, won at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Crosspark (11-7) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Neverushacon (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Soon prominent, on terms briefly 5th, soon raced in 2nd, slight mistake 17th, slow 6 out, led from 3 out, asserted straight, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 3m hvy in Nov beating Ballyboker Bridge (11-6) by 11l, 17 ran.
Kingswell Theatre 22-1 (10-0) Made all, clear until 4th, stayed on well, drawing clear final 150 yards, won at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Beau Du Brizais (10-0) by 5l, 9 ran.
Some Neck (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Prominent, pecked 3rd, a little slow 4th, soon chased leaders, a little slow 15th, slight mistake 4 out and under pressure, no impression in 4th and slight mistake 2 out, 3rd straight, one pace, 3rd of 17, 14 3/4l behind Neverushacon (11-11) at Punchestown 3m hvy in Nov.
Out Sam 9-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 11th after 3rd, 13th after 11th, headway to chase leaders and slight mistake 3 out, kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 19, 15 1/2l behind Dromore Lad (10-10) at Cork 3m 4f hcp sft in Nov.
Beau Du Brizais (FR) 22-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 7th, ridden last, no impression on winner final 150 yards, kept on, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Kingswell Theatre (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Vivas (FR) 40-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, close 3rd 2 out, edged right and weakened into 5th flat, 5th of 9, 14l behind Kingswell Theatre (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
My Hometown (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Waited with towards rear, pushed along in last from 5th, soon no danger, pulled up before 2 out, at Tipperary 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Defi Des Carres (FR) (11-6) 6th of 7, 7l behind Ducello (10-9) at Pompadour 2m 6f hvy in Jun.
De Forgotten One (10-7) won at Compiegne 2m 3f hvy in Nov beating Guaduloup (10-7) by 6l, 10 ran.
Little Bruce (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Chased winner until 7th, stayed handy, pushed along after 24th, soon lost place, behind from 27th, 7th of 9, dist behind Kingswell Theatre (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
