tracked leaders on inside, lost place 13th, soon struggling and behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 14th, went 2nd before 4 out, challenged on inside next, soon led, ridden between last 2, hard pressed last, rallied when headed briefly flat, held on
tracked leaders, dropped to rear but in touch 5th, struggling 12th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, led briefly 11th, lost place before 4 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders on outside, pushed along from 12th, ridden to chase leading pair when edged left before 2 out, stayed on to challenge last, led briefly flat, just held
led, jumped right 6th, headed briefly 11th, ridden 3 out, soon headed, kept on under pressure until no extra flat
Strictly on the form book, Lively Baron has every chance of reversing running over 3m here recently with HARRY THE VIKING. Donald McCain's six-year-old was only beaten six lengths and is 16lb better off at the weights today but it's difficult to believe there isn't plenty more to come from Paul Nicholls' strapping gelding, who gives the impression he could develop into a very smart staying chaser in time. Graduation Night rattled up a hat-trick in October and November but this is his stiffest task to date while Five Star Wilsham will do well to concede weight all round and Vincitore had his limitations exposed last time at Ascot.
Five Star Wilsham (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, no impression on leaders when left 4th 4 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 10l behind Connak (11-3) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Harry The Viking 9-4 (11-1) In rear but in touch, headway before 4 out, led 2 out, ridden before last, kept on, driven out, won at Doncaster 3m nov chs (4) gs beating Saint Are (11-1) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Graduation Night 7-2 (11-12) Held up early stages, bumped 4th, headway to track leading pair 7th, tracked leader 10th, left in lead 11th, narrowly headed 15th, led again 3 out, clear next, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Nov beating Princely Hero (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Vincitore (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Prophete De Guye (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Ikorodu Road 12-1 (11-6) Led to 2nd, tracked winner, pushed along before 6 out, weakened before 4 out, 5th of 8, 31l behind As De Fer (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Lively Baron (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Led to 3rd, tracked leaders, led again before 11th, headed 3 out, ridden befor 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Harry The Viking (11-1) at Doncaster 3m nov chs (4) gs.
