chased leaders, driven along throughout, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, short-lived rally approaching 8th, soon behind again, tailed off
held up in rear, struggling in 7th before 11th, never involved
made most until headed after 4th, chased leader until led again approaching 8th until next, in front again before 4 out, headed 3 out, lost 2nd and no extra next
chased leaders, lost place 9th, ridden after 11th, rallied on wide outside before next, weakened 3 out
held up in touch, headway chasing leaders and hit 6th, every chance 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, one pace and no impression before last
held up tracking leaders, good headway chasing leaders 11th, close 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, clear before last, ridden out
with leader, led after 4th, headed approaching 8th, in front again next, headed before 4 out, weakened next
went left 1st, chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
It’s a while since course specialist Triple Chief showed any worthwhile form and another course and distance winner, Only Gorgeous, was also pulled up last time. CAP DU NORD hasn’t pulled up any trees so far over fences but this slight increase in distance could prove the answer against modest opposition. Call Me Sid ran well for third in better company at Taunton and looks the danger with Skewiff continuing to disappoint.
Call Me Sid 16-1 (11-8) With winner, led 4th, mistake 8th, led 12th, ridden and mistake 3 out, not fluent next, mistake last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Militarian (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Skewiff 5-1fav (11-2) In rear, mistake 9th (water), mistake next, behind 11th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Triple Chief (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Led until 2nd, handy, lost place before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Alminar (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Started slowly, behind, hampered 10th, never dangerous, 8th of 16, dist behind Crucial Role (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec.
Cap Du Nord (FR) 10-3 (10-10) Chased leaders, plugged on in 4th from 3 out, 4th of 10, 16 1/2l behind Kupatana (11-12) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Spring Wolf 200-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, keen, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Defi Du Seuil (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f (2) sft in Dec.
Sizing Brisbane 8-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, took closer order 8th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, remote 4th, last of 4, dist behind Jennys Surprise (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Only Gorgeous (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In rear when saddle slipped and pulled up after 2nd, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
