chased winner, not fluent 12th, challenged 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no impression before 2 out
jumped well, made all, clear before 2 out, stayed on well
jumped right, chased leaders, not fluent 6th or 9th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in last, not fluent 6th, hit 11th, disputing 3rd after 12th, outpaced after 3 out, looked likely to press for 2nd before 2 out but soon held in 3rd
PROTEKTORAT put in some spectacular leaps on the way to an easy victory at Carlisle. He beat some potentially useful novices that day and will take all the beating if he handles these fences with the same aplomb. Mossy Fen, on the other hand, was let down by his jumping here three weeks ago so will need to do better. Southfield Stone beat three rivals over course and distance on his reappearance but had the race run to suit and has to concede weight all-round. Paint The Dream has some decent form to his name but is starting to look a little exposed.
Southfield Stone 2-1 (11-8) Led, joined 9th, headed narrowly 3 out, led approaching last, ran on under pressure run in, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Oct beating Coole Cody (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Protektorat (FR) 5-4fav (11-2) Made all, jumped slightly left on occasions, six-length lead final circuit, still going well 3 out, jumped left 2 out, jumped last well, comfortably, won at Carlisle 2m (3) gs in Oct beating Malystic (11-2) by 7l, 8 ran.
Mossy Fen (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, jumped right 2nd, led after 3rd, headed narrowly after 7th, marginal leader 13th (water), headed when slight mistake 15th, ridden and upsides 2 out, no extra, 4th of 6, 23l behind Galvin (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct.
Paint The Dream 11-1 (11-4) Led 1st until 3rd, prominent, hit 2 out, 2nd and hanging left after omitted last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Happygolucky (11-4) at Stratford 2m 5f (4) gs in Oct.
