towards rear, blundered badly and unseated rider
held up towards rear, reminders before 12th, hit 5 out, not fluent 4 out, weakened next
towards rear, not jump well, blundered 10th, headway before 6 out, one pace when hit last
tracked leader, led 7th, blundered 12th, pressed from 2 out, kept on gamely, driven out
led to 7th, remained close up until ridden before 3 out, weakening when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 10th, headway before 4 out, ridden to challenge from 2 out, mistake last, kept on towards finish
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway before 3 out, kept on to take 3rd run-in
chased leaders, weakening when blundered 2 out
chased leaders, challenged 3 out, kept on same pace, lost 3rd place run-in
Quel Ballistic has been knocking on the door over fences and would have been placed at worst had he not unseated his rider two out at Catterick last time. He is one for the short-list here while Bishophill Jack has been a reformed character lately and is bidding for a hat-trick after wins at Wetherby and Huntingdon last month. Quetzal has already won at Hexham and Newcastle this season and Sycho Fred has rediscovered his best form, finishing second at Catterick two weeks ago after winning at Sedgefield. AZULADA BAY found the shorter trip against him over hurdles last time but is back on a winning mark over fences and, if his jumping holds up, could take all the beating today as Vin De Roy looks harshly treated for what he's achieved.
Quel Ballistic 9-4fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, reminders after 8th, went 2nd from 12th, pushed along after 4 out, left in lead 2 out, soon hampered and unseated rider, in a race won by Dystonia's Revenge (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Bishophill Jack (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 10th, went 2nd 12th, challenged 2 out, led last, edged left flat, all out, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Dec beating Quelqu'un Comme Toi (11-10) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Vin De Roy (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, ridden after 4 out, went 4th before 3 out, chased clear pair after last, no impression, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Cotswold Charmer (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Quetzal (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Led to 1st, close up, led 12th, ridden before last, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov beating Dollar Mick (11-5) by 5l, 8 ran.
Azulada Bay (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Led until 3rd, prominent, led approaching 3 out, soon headed, no extra last, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Lukeys Luck (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Amroth Bay 15-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, hit 10th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Dystonia's Revenge (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Get Ready To Go (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Led 2nd until next, prominent, pecked 4th, ridden approaching 13th, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Bishophill Jack (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Hever Road (IRE) 10-3 (10-7) With leader, pecked 3rd, lost 2nd 10th, outpaced before 13th, behind from 15th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Cardigan Island (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Led, headed 8th, led again 14th, hit 2 out, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Apache Blue (11-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
