chased leaders, ridden and lost place approaching 9th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 9th, weakened after 5 out
held up, headway 9th, chased leaders in 4th when fell 4 out
held up mid-division, headway approaching 7th, weakened approaching 10th
chased leaders, lost place and weakened from 8th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 11th, led approaching and blundered 2 out, kept on well from last
held up in touch, weakened from 10th
chased leader, took closer order 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from last
led to 4th, led again approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, one pace
behind, ridden 4 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, led 4th, headed approaching 3 out, one pace from last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
In a race where many of these have to contend with career high marks the vote goes to the well placed STORM OF APPLAUSE ahead of Laskari and Our Jesper. The pick was a model of consistency before pulling up last time. He was jumping badly left that day, which is a concern, but it's not a problem he had before that race finishing second five times and scoring once in the six preceding starts. He's nine pounds up on his last win but has been more than competitive off higher ratings and could be the best adjusted here. Laskari got his head in front for the first time since April 2005 over a longer trip at Kempton last time out. He's up nine pounds for that success to a career high mark but the gelding is unexposed and could improve. Our Jesper for Don McCain showed a bit of a return to form finishing runner-up in a lower class on his last trip to a race course. It was his best race of the season so far but has he has been raise two pounds for that result and is now rated nine pounds higher than his last gold. On old form Leslingtaylor has a claim while the same can be said for Crozan but the verdict goes the way of Storm Of Applause.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 17-2 (10-2) In touch, weakened 7th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Jack The Giant (11-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 10-3 (10-8) Held up in touch, hit 6th and hampered, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 30l behind Marcel (10-3) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Crozan (FR) 15-2 (11-9) Prominent and keen, ridden 5 out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 18l behind Faasel (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f chs (2) hvy in Nov.
Ela Re 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 30l behind European Dream (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Kings Brook 100-1 (11-5) In rear, ridden and struggling 12th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Alright Now M'Lad (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Laskari (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Held up last, good headway after 4 out, shaken up to lead approaching last, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov beating Sir Bathwick (11-7) by 9l, 10 ran.
Tom's Toybox 16-1 (10-9) Towards rear, outpaced after 5 out, no impression from next, 4th of 14, 13l behind Medicinal (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Our Jasper 7-1 (11-11) Led, headed 2nd, reminders 7th, ridden after 13th, led approaching 2 out, challenged and blundered last, all out and headed close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Opera de Coeur (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Tell Henry (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Led, mistake 10th, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind First Look (10-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Karelian 22-1 (10-3) In rear, hit 5th, hampered 5 out, soon ridden, never dangerous, 7th of 16, 28l behind Possol (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Daldini 12-1 (10-11) Led to 2nd, remained close up until weakened from 5 out, 8th of 13, well behind Ice Tea (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Led, not fluent 4th, blundered 5th, soon headed, chased leader to 10th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Ouzbeck (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct, 17 ran.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Mistakes, held up, blundered 9th and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Lidjo De Rouge (10-8) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
