tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3rd until approaching 3 out, soon last and well held, not fluent 2 out
tracked leader until before 3rd, pushed along and struggling 4th, last after next, went modest 3rd when mistake 2 out, stayed on from after last, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
raced wide, held up in 4th, not fluent 5th, headway to chase winner before 3 out, never on terms and well held last, lost 2nd close home
made all, clear 5th, landed awkwardly after overjumping 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
Sea Lord was completing a six-timer in a Listed race at Kempton last time. John Ferguson's gelding goes from strength-to-strength but there are big ambitions for THE LIQUIDATOR this season and he made satisfactory start over hurdles at Carlisle when sauntering clear over the final half-mile. David Pipe's five-year-old can take the step up in class in his stride. Lac Fontana had few problems justifying short odds in a maiden hurdle here last month but has collected a penalty for that success. Minellaforleisure beat five rivals at Wincanton but it will be a surprise if he's ready to score at this level.
Lac Fontana (FR) 8-13fav (11-0) Made all, jumped right at times, clear before 2nd until 3 out, stayed on well to draw away from last, driven right out, won at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Germany Calling (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Sea Lord (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) Held up tracking leading trio, mistake 2nd, progress to 2nd travelling well and closed on leader before 2 out, upsides when mistake 2 out, led between last 2, clear when went right last, easily, won at Kempton 2m Listed nov hdl (1) gs in Oct beating Life And Soul (11-8) by 9l, 5 ran.
Minellaforleisure (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Took keen hold tracking leading pair, travelling well before 2 out, led between last 2, quickened clear before last, easily, won at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Toowoomba (10-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
The Liquidator 2-7fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct beating Knightly Escapade (10-12) by 11l, 12 ran.
