tracked leading pair, 2nd 5 out, challenged 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, driven and narrowly headed run-in, kept on
held up in 5th, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
led and disputed, narrowly headed after 1st, mistake 3rd, led again briefly after 7th, chased winner until 5 out, chased leading pair, soon pushed along and outpaced
took keen hold tracking leaders on outside, every chance 5 out, weakened approaching next
led and disputed, led after 1st until 2nd, pressed leader, led again 7th, narrowly headed 2 out, pressed leader, driven to regain lead run-in, kept on gamely
held up in rear, mistake and slightly hampered 3rd, closer after 7th, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out
Only Quite By Chance and Going Concern of these have so far won over fences but the former was pulled up at Wincanton last month and the latter fell when last seen at Cheltenham in November and is looking too high in the weights now. Dresden was second off today's mark at Ludlow last time and Long John over found one too good over further here last month, though is 3lb out of the handicap. Ascendant and MOUJIK BORGET both make their debut over the larger obstacles. Johnny Farrelly's nine-year-old has been in decent form over hurdles but Venetia Williams' gelding is thrown in on his best form over timber and should take all the beating if his jumping holds up.
Dresden (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd when mistake 4 out, stayed on, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Sir Valentino (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Ascendant 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 2nd when left in lead 3 out, joined and blundered next, driven and kept on well run-in, won at Ludlow 2m Am hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan beating Grimley Girl (10-6) by 7l, 17 ran.
Quite By Chance 4-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, hit 3rd, some headway approaching 10th, ridden in 5th and struggling next, tailed off and pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Toowoomba (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Moujik Borget (FR) 11-4 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 18l behind Vasco Du Ronceray (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Going Concern (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division when fell 2nd, in a race won by Bold Henry (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov, 19 ran.
Long John 7-2 (11-2) Held up in last pair, headway approaching 6th, 2nd 8th, led approaching 5 out until approaching next, chased winner in vain and no chance from 2 out, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Come On Annie (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
