led, ridden after last, headed close home
took keen hold, held up in 4th, not fluent 1st, went 3rd after 6th, outpaced 2 out, weakened after last
chased leader, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well final 100 yards, led close home
led into start, chased leaders, not fluent 4th, weakened before 2 out
took keen hold, behind, not fluent 4th, tailed off 6th, pulled up after
Kepagge will have to jump much better than he did at Leicester if he is to extend his unbeaten record under Rules. Course winner Getaway Fred makes more appeal as he wasn’t disgraced when third at Kempton on Boxing Day and the step up in trip shouldn’t be a concern given his point-to-point background. FADO DES BROSSES finished well clear of the third when runner-up to the useful Stick With Bill at Ffos Las. The 6lb he receives from the two previous winners could be crucial.
Getaway Fred (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, lost 2nd between last 2, plugged on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 11 1/2l behind Fred (11-0) at Kempton 2m (2) sft in Dec.
Echo Du Large (FR) 40-1 (11-3) Stumbled 1st, behind, pushed along in modest 4th before 3 out, well beaten in 6th run-in, 6th of 12, dist behind Sir Psycho (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Jan.
Fado Des Brosses (FR) 13-8 (11-0) Tracked leader, every chance 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Stick With Bill (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
Thedancingman 200-1 (11-5) Behind, headway after 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 16, 19 1/4l behind Arrivederci (11-5) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Brophies Doll (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Led into start, chased leaders, lost place before 2 out, 6th of 9, 21 1/2l behind Beaufort West (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Hanna Hvar 14-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in rear, ran green edged right and kept on final 2f, went 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 8l behind Mrs Hyde (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gf in Oct.
Kepagge (IRE) 2-9fav (10-12) Led, jumped very slow and headed 1st, tracked leaders, jumped badly left and slow 2nd, led before 2 out, kept on well towards finish, won at Leicester 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec beating Bendy Bow (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.