close up on outer, pushed along approaching 9th, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out, no impression from next
held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, took closer order approaching 8th, pushed along after next, headway approaching 4 out, jumped right 3 out and next, soon weakened
with leader, led 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace
chased leaders in 4th, mistake 10th, soon weakened
led to 9th, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway after 5 out, chased leader approaching next, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well
chased leaders, blundered 7th, chased leader 5 out, in 3rd and looking one pace when mistake last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, in rear from 8th, mistake next, never dangerous
always towards rear, jumped slow and tailed off from 10th, pulled up before next
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 5 out, chased leader approaching 4 out, kept on from last
held up mid-division, reminders after 10th, never dangerous
held up behind, not fluent 9th, never a factor
Beauchamp Viking will appreciate a switch to this stiff track and could sneak under the radar but we're prepared to take a chance on I'M A LEGEND. Dougie Costello's mount took a close second in this race last year of the same handicap rating and although he's not performed to the same level this term a switch back to patient tactics could enable him to do just that. Ere Alfie is far from overlooked despite disappointing when last seen as he may just've needed a break, however his improvement did coincide with soft ground and there may be other days for him. Woodlark Island is the obvious threat after a hard-fought Kempton victory on Sunday but that may've taken its toll, De Bansha Man doesn't look just a mud-lark but the handicapper has taken no chances while Foreign King has shown a liking for this track previously.
De Bansha Man (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Tracked clear leader, hit 5th, joined leader 3 out, soon led, ridden after 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Sep beating Coosan Belle (11-4) by 9l, 8 ran.
Foreign King (USA) 6-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, kept on flat, never near leaders, 8th of 13, 8l behind Nothing Is Forever (10-11) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Woodlark Island (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) With leader, led after 6th, ridden 3 out, soon strongly challenged, held on gamely, won at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Cortinas (11-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Honourable Arthur (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, led after 2nd, not fluent 3 out, soon headed, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 15, 30l behind Lord Tomnoddy (11-0) at Chepstow 3m NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Manmoon (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led 7th until 9th, chased leaders, weakened 14th, blundered next, 7th of 16, well behind Petroupetrov (11-2) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
I'm A Legend 6-1 (11-9) Led, joined 7th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 32l behind Diaco (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Inside Dealer (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Mid-division, blundered 5th, effort after 3 out, no impression next, 8th of 20, 33l behind Munlochy Bay (9-11) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Swainson (USA) 50-1 (11-0) In rear, headway approaching 8th, ridden after 3 out, kept on, no impression, 4th of 7, 18l behind Nintytwo Team (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chase (4) gd in Jun.
Pool Of Knowledge (FR) 15-2 (10-13) In rear when badly hampered by fallen horses and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Fidelis (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 9 ran.
Ere Alfie (IRE) 2-1fav (10-10) Raced in 3rd and well off the pace, weakened 9th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Senor Shane (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Charming Oscar (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Held up, headway 8th, not fluent 11th, beaten when not fluent 4 out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Young Albert (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct '09.
Beauchamp Viking 7-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 9th, hit 4 out, weakened after next, 9th of 12, 32l behind Misamon (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.