tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, soon clear, readily
held up, headway 7th, ridden after 13th, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
prominent until 9th, soon behind, pulled up after 13th
in touch until lost place 6th, headway 10th, ridden after next, one pace from 4 out
soon behind, stumbled badly 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led until approaching 4 out, soon weakened
towards rear, blundered 2nd, headway 10th, ridden and every chance approaching 4 out, soon held by winner, weakened 2 out
always tailed off, pulled up after 9th
mid-division until lost touch 9th, tailed off after 13th
mid-division, ridden after 11th, weakened after 13th, pulled up before last
chased leaders, joined leaders 9th, close 3rd when fell 13th
Ironside comes into this race in great order and is taken to win at the expense of Far More Serious and Nacadour. The selection has been in winning form at Plumpton on two occasions this winter but did have a blip in between when beaten a long way at Warwick. This will not be an easy task as he has 11 pounds more to carry here but with the stable in good form he has to be on the short list. Far More Serious is another to come into the race in good order having won on his first start for new connections over course and distance and with only a two pound rise is very much another to note in the betting market. Nacadour is blinkered for the first time after running a fair race here last time out when third to Macmar. Prior to that he was in winning form at Leicester but that was in maiden company so was easily within his grasp. If the blinkers can sharpen him up and pull him back a few lengths then he has to be a serious challenger here but we will return to Ironside as the more consistent type and put him forward to win again.
Macmar (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge before 4 out, led before last, stayed on strongly, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Far More Serious (11-5) by 4l, 13 ran.
Nacadour (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway before 10th, chased leaders 4 out, effort when jumped slowly next, soon one pace, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Macmar (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Ironside (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Made all, ridden clear 16th, ran on well, won at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft beating Petite Margot (11-2) by 6l, 11 ran.
Yann's (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, under pressure 9th, headway 4 out, kept on approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind The Dark Lord (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
What A Scientist (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) In touch, not fluent 4th, mistake 7th, soon struggling, 7th of 14, 34l behind Le Briar Soul (10-11) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Far More Serious (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, hit 12th, led next, headed after 2 out, stayed on well, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Macmar (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Snoopy Loopy (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost touch 9th, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Portland Bill (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Alcatras (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) With leader, slow 2nd, soon in touch, chasing leaders when fell 3 out in race won by Jonny's Kick (10-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy, 8 ran.
Ibberton 9-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 11th, ridden 14th, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 11, 35l behind Super Lord (11-12) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Supreme Tadgh (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division until weakened 13th, 9th of 16, 26l behind Alcatras (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Ackhurst (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Chased leader, ridden 4 out, lost place approaching 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Beau Michel (11-1) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Dec.
Classic Fair 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 9th, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Whitford Don (11-1) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb, 16 ran.
