tracked leaders, mistake 13th, effort to challenge when hampered and left in narrow lead 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra flat
tracked leaders, outpaced in 4th when left close up in 3rd and bumped next, soon challenged, ridden to lead between last 2, clear flat, stayed on well
tracked leaders, lost place when hit 11th, soon behind, weakened before 5 out, tailed off
with leader, reminder and lost place 10th, outpaced before 5 out, soon no chance with leaders, left remote 4th 3 out
led, ridden when headed briefly before 5 out, kept on and narrow advantage when hampered by loose horse and unseated rider 3 out
in touch on outside, lost place and behind from 4th, chased leaders 6 out, outpaced before next, behind when hampered and unseated rider 3 out
with leaders on outside, ridden to lead briefly before 5 out, close up when left 2nd and hampered 3 out, one pace in 3rd when blundered next, no chance after
close up when blundered and unseated rider 1st
Kingswell Theatre returned an easy winner at Market Rasen last month on his chasing bow and should go well again. But BUCKHORN TIMOTHY is just preferred having landed the odds in good style at Fontwell last time. Dreamsoftheatre is more exposed over fences but landed a double on fast ground back in August while the returning Tidal Dance is rated higher over hurdles than both Berea Boru and Imperial Leader but has not raced since March last year.
Buckhorn Timothy 10-11fav (11-6) Tracked leader, blundered 5 out, led before 4 out, bumped rival 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Honey Pound (11-1) by 26l, 4 ran.
Kingswell Theatre 11-4fav (11-1) Disputed lead until led 8th, clear 2 out, eased run in, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Father Edward (11-6) by 12l, 5 ran.
Dreamsoftheatre (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, mistake 1st, jumped slowly 7th and 11th, weakened 5 out, pulled up after next, at Kempton 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Berea Boru (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Held up in rear, effort when not fluent 4 out, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Molly's A Diva (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Dawson City 33-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, mistake 8 out, in 4th from 5 out, in 3rd before 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, dist behind Onenightinvienna (11-0) at Exeter 3m (3) hvy in Nov.
Tidal Dance (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) Chased winner, upsides after 3rd, hit 5th, ridden and lost 2nd before 3 out, soon no chance with leading duo, weakened quickly, tailed off, 3rd of 4, dist behind Knockanrawley (11-8) at Ffos Las 3m (4) sft in Mar.
Vice Et Vertu (FR) 9-1 (10-13) In rear, outpaced 10th, went poor 2nd from 2 out until no extra near finish, 3rd of 6, 17 1/4l behind Kylemore Lough (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Imperial Leader (IRE) 4-1fav (11-8) Held up in touch, took closer order 3rd, reminders after 8th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Master Malt (11-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar.