held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden to challenge before last, kept on and held towards finish
with leader, led 3rd, headed 3 out, weakened before last
led to 3rd, led again 3 out, ridden and pressed last, held on well towards finish
held up towards rear, effort before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear and keen, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
held up in touch, weakened before 2 out
in rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace in 3rd
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
Caged Lightning was placed on heavy ground on the Flat and also won on Fibresand so the recent course and distance second should handle conditions. Chase End Charlie never raced on going this soft in bumpers but the booking of Richard Johnson is a positive. Sir Will, another with decent bumper form, is another with claims but Moidore has had his chances and is likely to find at least a couple too good again. AMI DEBOIS went close over 3m here on his hurdling debut and is a stayer in the making. But this will be a real slog in the conditions and he looks to have the best credentials.
Ami Desbois (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Held up behind, headway before 2 out, chased winner after last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Ephraim (10-12) at Doncaster 3m (4) sft in Dec.
Caged Lightning (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Chased leaders, driven to challenge before 2 out, no extra approaching last, 2nd of 12, 13l behind Always Resolute (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Chase End Charlie (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon chased winner, no impression, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Meribel Millie (10-11) at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gd in Nov.
Exactly What 66-1 (11-2) With leaders when mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Heritage Way 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders to before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Barney Dwan (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Man From Seville 4-9fav (9-8) Mid-division, headway and in touch 7f out, led over 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, comfortably, won at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Sep beating Torero (9-8) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Moidore 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, well held from next, blundered last, 7th of 8, 22 3/4l behind For Good Measure (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Sir Will (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, ridden before 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 15l behind Bun Doran (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (6) sft in Nov.
Tom Hall 150-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear and keen, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, last of 17, dist behind Winter Escape (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
