in touch, headway approach 8th, ridden 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
chased leader to approaching 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up last, headway after 9th, ridden and chased leader 4 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, mistake 8th, ridden and weakened 9th, behind 4 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
prominent, chased leader after 5th, hit 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
made all, quicken clear on bit approaching 4 out, soon in command, eased from last, unchallenged
held up towards rear, ridden 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 9th
Mister Quasimodo is a confident choice in the beginners chase, while Margot De Grugy and Magical Harry are fancied to throw down solid challenges. Magical Harry made a satisfactory start for his new yard at Taunton last month and his connections can take heart from the fact that jumped his fences well until he blundered at the third-last. He will be better for the experience and can use this as part of his learning curve. Margot De Grugy represents a more serious threat, as he is already qualified for a handicap mark and has the benefit of experience on his side. Still he does look vulnerable to an improver and no quarter measure will suffice from him. Especially if Mister Quasimodo continues to show the same level of progression he displayed over timber last year. Colin Tizzard's gelding got better with every run and, now that he has experience of fences under his belt, he is expected to be too tough to master in this company.
Ackhurst (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approached 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 10, 19l behind Pass It On (11-6) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) hvy in Nov.
Flash Point (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, disputed lead after 7th, led briefly 9th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Classified (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Grouse Moor (USA) 22-1 (11-2) Held up, hit 7th, weakened after 9th, beaten when fell at the last in race won by Pardishar (11-2) at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) gs in Mar, 7 ran.
Keswick (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up last, went 2nd approaching 4 out, chasing winner when fell at the 9th in race won by New Little Bric (11-8) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Dec, 3 ran.
Magical Harry 40-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, left in lead after 3rd, headed 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Il Duce (11-6) at Taunton 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders to 6th, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 46l behind Bob Hall (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec.
Mister Quasimodo 15-8fav (11-6) Held up, hit 8th, headway 10th, chased winner after 13th, ridden after 3 out, soon held, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Pole Star (11-6) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
The Rollerskater (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) In rear and mistake 1st, reminders 6th, headway next, ridden 8th, weakened 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Corrib Eclipse (11-0) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gs in May, 10 ran.
