towards rear, soon pushed along, tailed off before 9 out, pulled up before 5 out
held up mid-division, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened
led to 5 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 7 out, ridden to go 3rd before last, kept on run-in
always towards rear
held up mid-division, headway 7 out, pushed along before 4 out, one pace and no impression
held up mid-division, pushed along 11th, lost place next, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, tailed off when pulled up before 7 out
prominent, went 3rd from 9th, went 2nd 2 out, ridden after last, kept on and always well held by winner
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon went 3rd until before 2 out, no extra
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders, weakened after 5 out
held up mid-division, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 5 out, clear before 4 out, ridden before last, stayed on well, ridden out
tracked leaders, lost place from 10th
One of the handicap highlights of Doncaster's jumps campaign and an opportunity for Paul Nicholls' novice chaser LE MERCUREY to put one over a host of battle-hardened and useful handicappers. The French import looks nicely treated off 10-9, remains open to major improvement after just nine career starts and has shown decent form on both Grade 2 runs over fences, notably when scoring impressively at Ascot last month. At his best Holywell would go close despite his burden now he has his ground but the O'Neill operation is only recently up and running once more. Aachen has understandably been hit very hard by the handicapper for recent performances whilst Buywise is the most intriguing and enigmatic of characters. He is going to land a major handicap one of these days when his jumping holds up throughout and could well appreciate the step up to 3m. Dolatulo and Coologue also merit respect.
Holywell (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 6th, outpaced from 5 out, 4th of 5, 33l behind Cue Card (11-7) at Haydock 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Double Ross (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, well beaten from 10th (becher\\\'s brook), plugged on from last, went 5th close home, no chance, 5th of 13, dist behind Bennys Mist (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Aachen 11-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th, led 3 out, driven flat, headed close home, 2nd of 15, nk behind Soll (11-9) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Buywise (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, some headway when hit 4 out, 6th 2 out, went 4th and stayed on flat, no impression on leaders, 4th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Village Vic (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Le Reve (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up in rear but in touch, pushed along 12th, chased leaders next, driven to challenge 3 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Kruzhlinin (11-3) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Dolatulo (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden before 2 out, stayed on from elbow, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 17, 3l behind Highland Lodge (10-0) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Le Mercurey (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Prominent, ridden when not fluent 2 out, 4th and one pace after, went 3rd but no chance with front pair when jumped right last, 3rd of 7, 23 1/4l behind Seeyouatmidnight (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) hvy in Jan.
Court By Surprise (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Held up mid-division, headway before 5 out, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Danimix (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Coologue (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, stumbled 2 out, one pace and no impression before last, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Southfield Royale (11-5) at Doncaster 3m (1) hvy in Dec.
Pass The Hat 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 6th after 3 out, soon ridden, went moderate 3rd at last, kept on without threatening winner in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Oscar Sam (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
No Planning 8-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, jumped left and bumped 4th, soon lost place, blundered and unseated rider 6th (chair), at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Gullinbursti (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Held up, mistake 5th, pushed along and struggling 15th, never on terms, 7th of 13, 18l behind Wakanda (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Ikorodu Road 8-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden before last, led run-in, kept on well, won at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Beeves (11-8) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Ziga Boy (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Prominent, led after 11th, clear before 4 out, eased inside final 100 yards, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Godsmejudge (11-8) by 7l, 13 ran.
Distime (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division after 4th, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Indian Temple (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
