tracked leaders, led before last, kept on well
tracked leader, weakened before 2 out
led and keen, not fluent 3 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace
close up, mistake 3rd, weakened before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
close up, ridden and weakened before last
in rear, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
held up mid-division, lost place from 5 out, tailed off and puled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
French imports Baoulet Delaroque and Dalkadam are likely to be prominent in the betting for this given both have experience of jumping hurdles. But Flat winner Paris Snow has shown little aptitude for the winter game so far and Kara Tara would need to improve on last month's run here behind Unbuckled. Nicky Henderson introduces DIVINE SPEAR, a son of Oscar who is a half-brother to two winning jumpers who both won on heavy ground. He made a winning start to his career in a Towcester bumper and looks the most likely winner here. Improved has also won a bumper and is probably the pick of the remainder.
Baoulet Delaroque (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on from last, 4th of 15, 9 1/4l behind Tapaculo (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Dalkadam (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 6, 10l behind Le Toiny (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 1f sft in Nov.
Divine Spear (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 3f out, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, comfortably, won at Towcester 2m mdn (6) gd in May beating Boy In A Bentley (11-2) by 9l, 11 ran.
Improved (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 8l behind Meribel Millie (10-11) at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gd in Nov.
Looksnowtlikebrian (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Prominent, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 13, 18 1/2l behind Western Cape (11-4) at Southwell 2m mdn (6) gd in Oct.
Paris Snow 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, shaken up and well beaten before 3 out, 5th of 14, dist behind Hit The Highway (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
Scooby (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Meribel Millie (10-11) at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gd in Nov.
Kara Tara 80-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden before 3 out, no extra before last, 9th of 17, 15 3/4l behind Unbuckled (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Lady Brienne (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 33l behind Western Rules (11-7) at Newcastle 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Zakety Zak 250-1 (11-6) Mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on approaching last, never nearer, 6th of 13, dist behind Champagne At Tara (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
