held up in touch, ridden to improve 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led, headed 2nd, chased leader 4 out, led soon after 2 out, ridden and ran on flat
keen, led 2nd, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, still every chance approaching last, weakened flat
held up in touch, ridden to improve 4 out, weakened after 3 out
keen, tracked leaders, lost place 4th, ridden next, behind and pulled up 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened next
with leaders, ridden 5th, weakened before 3 out
always in rear
held up mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened before 3 out
always behind
Hi Dancer can get losses back at the expense of Escobar, Wrenlane and Keen Warrior. Hi Dancer was steered to victory by Tony McCoy at Stratford in July, and since that juvenile success, has had just two more outings, one on the level, and more recently back over timber when he was third to Archimboldo at Bangor in September. Pat Haslam's charge was a bit too keen that day, and was anchored by his penalty anyway, so connections have decided to go the handicap route after giving him a brief break, and hopefully, in receipt of weight from his mainly older main rivals, he can get back to winning ways on a track that should suit his style of running. Escobar went close on more than one occasion on the all-weather, and came good over the course-and-distance last month. That was a seller though, and he therefore needs to improve, while Wrenlane, whose trainer does well with his jumpers, has it to do surely off topweight. Keen Warrior once again looked as though he needs further when runner-up here recently, and for the winner we return to the progressive Hi Dancer.
Wrenlane 28-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders, mistake 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 15, 22l behind Dhehdaah (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-7) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon no extra, 5th of 15, 16l behind Monsieur (11-12) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
Calculaite 25-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 13, 11l behind Nerone (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Escobar (POL) 11-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 6th, led before 2 out, comfortably, won at Fakenham 2m cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Oct beating House Martin (11-10) by 8l, 12 ran.
Kyathos (GER) 66-1 (10-4) Held up, always in rear, last of 7, 28l behind Dishdasha (10-12) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Keen Warrior 9-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, headway after 6th, ridden and stayed on flat, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Blushing Prince (10-6) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Hi Dancer 9-4fav (11-2) Jumped right, led to 5th, led again 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Archimboldo (10-3) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Carlton Scroop (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Held up, headway 4th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, no impression, 5th of 16, 13l behind Capitalise (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd.
Champagne Rossini (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Led until 5th, rider lost irons after 6th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Blushing Prince (10-6) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Colemanstown 100-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and weakened 5th, 13th of 16, well behind Ameeq (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
