held up in rear, headway from 7th, chasing leaders 4 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish
mid-division, well behind 4 out, tailed off
held up in mid-division, well behind 4 out, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway from 7th, led after 2 out, stayed on
led until 1st, in lead 3rd, headed after 2 out, lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, one pace next, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, jumped right 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, headway from 7th, 5th and no impression when mistake last
led 1st, 2nd at the 3rd, weakening when stumbled and unseated rider 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened flat
Nonrunner
After Hours went close at Exeter in November only to disappoint at Newbury last time. Shintori posted a better effort at Wincanton on his latest start and Captain Hox finished closer at Newcastle having slipped down the weights. Virnon was having only his second start over fences when runner-up at Southwell and can race off the same mark but top weight UBALTIQUE (NAP) is preferred. The latter has been thereabouts in higher grade chases than this including when fourth at Haydock last month and Donald McCain’s charge should find life easier in this company.
Ubaltique (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway before 4 out, 3rd 3 out, no extra flat, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Gino Trail (11-6) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Grey Life 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along in touch after 4th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 10, 24 1/2l behind Baby Jake (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Virnon 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 3 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Clan Legend (11-11) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Dream Bolt (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, every chance after last, ran on to lead close home, won at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Reyno (10-12) by nk, 13 ran.
Allow Dallow (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Last pair, tailed off and no chance when hampered 10th, pulled up 4 out, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
After Hours (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th, pushed along and no chance with winner before 2 out, eased run-in, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Cepage (11-7) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Tara Bridge 5-1 (11-4) Led until 5th, chased leader, pushed along approaching 3 out, lost 2nd approaching the last, one pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Doitforthevillage (11-5) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Keep Moving (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Held up, headway tracking leaders 4th until lost place and behind 7th, no chance after, 5th of 8, dist behind Cepage (11-7) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Capilla (IRE) 15-8fav (10-10) With leader, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Cape Caster (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Shintori (FR) 7-1 (10-5) Led, jumped left at times, mistake 4 out, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Triggywinkle (10-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Captain Hox (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Held up, in touch, headway into 3rd after 9th, kept on same pace in 3rd from 4 out, 3rd of 7, 8 1/4l behind Groomed (10-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
