led until fell 7th
tracked leaders, left 2nd at 7th, chased winner, pushed along 12th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
in rear when stumbled on landing and unseated rider 7th
tracked leader, left in lead 7th, pecked on landing 4 out, blundered next, ridden and stayed on
Oxalido and fellow veteran Alright Benny were both pulled up last time, which hardly enhances their claims in this despite the small field. It's a long time since Icy Colt showed any worthwhile form and he's never raced on ground this soft before which leaves THE OMEN as the only logical selection. Tim Vaughan's gelding is probably too high in the weights at present but did win on soft going at Lingfield in November and earns the nomination on that fact alone.
The Omen 6-1 (11-3) Made most, already narrowly headed when slithered on landing 3 out, dropped to 3rd weakened and unable to recover, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Magical Man (10-0) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Icy Colt (ARG) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, outpaced from 4 out, 4th of 6, 35l behind Harangue (11-11) at Southwell 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Oxalido (FR) 22-1 (10-12) In touch, lost touch 8th, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Romany Ryme (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Alright Benny (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Led until 3rd, mistake 6th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Petit Ecuyer (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
