held up in touch, headway into 3rd approaching 4 out, soon ridden, weakened quickly 2 out
led, ridden and headed 4 out, led 2 out, headed approaching last, lost 2nd near finish
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 2 out
lost touch 6th, tailed off and pulled up before last
in touch, weakened well before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders until not fluent 6th, soon ridden, beaten 4 out
held up, ridden and going nowhere approaching 4 out, stayed on strongly approaching last, finished well
held up, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, hard ridden to lead approaching last, driven out
Zorro De La Vega is marginally preferred to Sou'Wester and Josear. The selection has been raised 7lbs for his win at Leicester but may be able to go on from there now that he has got his head in front; he's certainly in the right hands. He had shown a consistent level of form prior to that and should go close if as effective on the softer ground. Eluvaparty may have more to offer and Silver Inngot is better than he showed last time whilst Elegant Clutter is relatively unexposed over fences. Sou'Wester was hammered by the handicapper for his win in December but is still rated lower than over hurdles and may still be competitive. Josear merits respect under his penalty having landed a gamble at Warwick last week but Zorro De La Vega can put these rivals to the sword.
Silver Inngot (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (10-2) Held up mid-division, headway 10th, soon ridden to challenge, weakened 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Nadover (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Eluvaparty 20-1 (11-12) Led to 5th, chased leader, hit 8th, ridden 4 out, beaten when fell 2 out in race won by Obelix De Longechaux (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 7-2fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, always travelling well, led after last, soon edged left under pressure, ridden out, won at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec beating King Diamond (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Elegant Clutter (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up in touch until weakened 5 out, 5th of 6, 40l behind Noble Bily (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Josear 11-2 (10-8) Always prominent, led briefly approaching 5th, pressed leader, mistake 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, led flat, stayed on well under pressure, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy beating Jam Packed (11-5) by 7l, 7 ran.
Sou'wester 3-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 9th, ridden behind leaders 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Lidjo De Rouge (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Saby (FR) 25-1 (11-11) Always behind, 12th of 16, well behind Oakfield Legend (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Opal Ridge 66-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 12th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 7th of 16, 10l behind Alcatras (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Whatcanisay 9-4fav (11-0) Pulled early, led to 6th, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 17, 12l behind Busy Henry (11-6) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Nemetan (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened 11th, 6th of 11, 17l behind Master d'Or (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.