held up in touch, headway before 5 out, soon tracking leaders, every chance 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well
led 1st, remained with leader, driven and weakened approaching 3 out
led 2nd, strongly challenged from 4 out, headed 2 out, soon no extra
held up in touch, mistake 2nd, weakened 13th
tracked leaders, jumped left 10th, soon pushed along, weakened before 5 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 5 out, soon beaten
Dover's Hill made a successful reappearance over C&D in October and is a sound jumper. But he hasn't been seen since finishing fifth in a Listed handicap at Ascot later that month and is likely to be taken on for the lead today by Bench Warrent, who was more like his old self when second at Fakenham last month. Bakbenscher has ability but was far from fluent again when third to Wishfull Thinking at Cheltenham and DEFINITY has more scope. This is the latter's toughest task to date but he hardly put a foot wrong in beating Straw Bear by six lengths at Fontwell on only his second start over fences and can follow up here. The Sliotar was pulled up on his reappearance at Cheltenham and may need more time to recover his form.
Bakbenscher 10-1 (10-9) Held up last, blundered 3rd, steady headway 8th, 4th when blundered 3 out, went 3rd and no chance with leading duo when blundered badly last and great recovery from rider to stay in saddle, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan.
Bench Warrent (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, led 13th, headed approaching 2 out, soon under pressure, rallied last, kept on well, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Three Chords (10-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Definity (IRE) 4-7fav (11-0) Jumped well, pressed leader, led 4th, made rest, increased tempo before 3 out, in command from 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chase (4) gs in Jan beating Straw Bear (11-0) by 6l, 5 ran.
Dover's Hill 5-1fav (10-0) Prominent, mistake 1st, led 5th, mistake and headed 13th, led again after next, headed 16th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, 12l behind Massini's Maguire (11-3) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
The Sliotar (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear and mistakes, reminders after 13th, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out, tailed off, in a race won by Blazing Bailey (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan, 17 ran.
Thunder Child 20-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, soon chasing leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 8, 29l behind Atherstone Hill (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
