prominent, ridden 4 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out
in rear, pitched on landing 4th, not fluent next, last 8th, well behind after
led 2nd, headed 3 out, beaten from next, stayed on towards finish
prominent, pecked 2nd, challenged 4 out, led last, stayed on well, clear towards finish
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, mistake and lost place 3rd, last when not fluent 6th, well behind from 10th, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, steady headway from 8th, lost place before 4 out, well held after
held up in rear, fell 9th
mid-division, headway 4th, lost place before 4 out, mistake 2 out, plugged on flat
mid-division, headway 4th, not fluent 6th or 9th, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, headed last, no impression on winner towards finish
led until 2nd, handy, lost place before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, never able to get on terms with leaders
A competitive handicap with several catching the eye at the weights. The Kings Writ was in front when falling at the last at Chepstow and will probably be backed to gain compensation. Rainy Day Dylan, a winner here over hurdles, is surely better than he’s shown so far over fences. Triple Chief likes it here and is starting to look well treated but Jaisalmer was well beaten when second at Fakenham and Conna Cross is also high enough in the weights. LE BOIZELO has failed to complete the last twice but was placed over track and trip last season and won on heavy going at Wincanton. A return to familiar territory on his preferred ground could initiate a revival so Robert Walford’s charge gets the nod ahead of Dauphine Ereine, who is back over his best trip. Night Of Sin makes more appeal than recent winners Air Navigator and Native Robin among the others.
Conna Cross (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent and lost place 5th, effort after 4 out, 3rd 2 out, switched left before last bend, stayed on, went 3rd close home, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Touch Kick (11-1) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Jaisalmer (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased winner, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd 7th, left 2nd next but soon well behind, not fluent 4 out, mistake and sprawled 3 out, plugged on, 2nd of 5, 21l behind Knocknanuss (11-2) at Fakenham 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Le Boizelo (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th when fell last, at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
The Kings Writ (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) In touch, headway to chase leaders after 5th, led 4 out, fell last, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Dauphine Ereine (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Prominent, mistake 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 8, 18l behind Beau Du Brizais (11-0) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Air Navigator 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 9th, slightly hampered 11th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, ridden before last, kept on gamely, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Sir Egbert (11-7) by nk, 10 ran.
Rainy Day Dylan (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up, hampered 1st, tailed off before 5 out, soon pulled up, at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Night Of Sin (FR) 10-3 (11-6) Tracked clear leader, close up 5th, led after next, ridden before 4 out, headed when blundered 2 out, no impression with front pair after, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Watcombe Heights (12-0) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Native Robin (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) In touch, headway to chase leader 2 out, ridden to lead bend in to straight approaching last, ridden out, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Wood Pigeon (10-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Triple Chief (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mistakes in rear, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 5th, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Duhallow Lad (IRE) 5-2fav (10-9) Waited with in rear, steady headway in 4th place at 9th, 3rd going well before 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, mistake next, stayed on same pace, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind The Bay Birch (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
