towards rear, much closer 7th pushed along 10th, struggling 4 out (usually 5 out), weakened quickly
disputed lead, led narrowly after 4 out (usually 5 out), ridden along and headed 2 out (usually 3 out), no more
towards rear, ridden after the 6th, tailed off 9th, pulled up before 4 out (usually 5 out)
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out (usually 5 out), weakened after 3 out (usually 4 out)
tracked leaders, pushed along 11th, soon ridden and struggling, pulled up before 4 out (usually 5 out)
tracked leaders, close up after 6th, disputed lead after 8th, ridden after 4 out (usually 5 out), headed and weakened before 3 (usually 4 out), no more after 2 out (usually 3 out)
disputed lead then chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out (usually 5 out), mistake 4 out (usually 5 out), well held
in rear, headway approaching 4 out (usually 5 out), took third after 3 out (usually 4 out), stayed on gamely from 2 out (usually 3 out)
tracked leaders, weakened quickly after the 11th, pulled up before 4 out (usually 5 out)
tracked leaders, travelled and jumped well, pressed leader 3 out (usually 4 out), led 2 out (usually 3 out), drew clear on the run to the last, comfortable
towards rear, some headway into mid-division 7th, tracked leaders after 12th, ridden approaching 4 out (usually 5 out), held when mistake 2 out (usually 3 out)
LAMANVER PIPPIN remains unexposed over fences and was only beaten a length when third at Cheltenham on his reappearance. He’ll be straighter today and first-time headgear should bring further improvement. Captain Tommy finished in front of The Two Amigos when runner-up at Bangor, though that was the latter’s first outing since March. Captain Drake found life tough in Grade 3 company last time having won at Uttoxeter before that but represents last year’s winning yard. Bobo Mac should be winning again this season having just missed out at Wetherby back in March and has undergone wind surgery since while Secret Reprieve and Deise Aba make most appeal of those who failed to complete on their latest starts.
Domaine De L'Isle (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Always in rear, behind 11th, pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
The Two Amigos 11-1 (11-5) Led 2nd, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Notachance (10-9) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Saint Xavier (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Towards rear, awkward 1st, fell 12th, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Captain Drake (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Chased leader, not fluent 3rd, lost 2nd 6th, slow next, pushed along 15th, last 17th, behind 18th, pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Deise Aba (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th and 8th, pushed along and detached in rear 10th, pulled up before 11th, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Yalltari 10-1 (11-4) In rear, ridden 4 out, pulled up approaching last, at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Lamanver Pippin 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along 14th, headway 16th, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on, held by winner and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Storm Control (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Bobo Mac (IRE) 15-8 (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, ridden to chase winner next, no impression until ran on towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 3, hd behind Commodore Barry (10-12) at Wetherby 3m (3) sft in Mar.
Jepeck (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) In rear, struggling 7 out, detached before 5 out, tailed off 3 out and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Secret Reprieve (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-0) Midfield, awkward 6th, steady headway when fell 12th, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Captain Tommy (IRE) 15-2 (10-1) Raced wide in touch, headway 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 3 3/4l behind Notachance (10-9) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
