tracked leader, mistake 5 out, led next, headed 2 out, rallied but no extra close home
chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon no impression
held up in touch, headway 4 out, led after 2 out, kept on well
held up in rear, fell 3rd
led until 4 out, soon chased winner, blundered next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened
MASSASOIT really should be good enough to take this although he'll make little appeal at the odds. Emperor Concerto and Roman Conquest are the likeliest contenders to cause an upset. Paul Nicholls' charge has something in hand on the figures but hasn't quite lived up to expectations. In fairness to him he has been set some stiff tasks over both hurdles and fences and there's little disgrace in defeat to Burton Port. There's nothing of that one's ability in this line-up so Massasoit should be able to score with a degree of comfort. Emperor Concerto has been heading in the right direction over hurdles and should make a chaser but this is a tough race in which to start as it is for Roman Conquest who was impressive when winning a novice hurdle at Chepstow. That pair should both make their mark in the fullness of time as may Warne's Way who ran some big races over hurdles but has yet to shine over fences but this contest is best left to Massasoit.
Emperor Concerto 10-3 (11-5) Led, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Sonowyouno (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 9-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 14l behind Hello My Lovely (11-2) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec.
Massasoit (IRE) 15-8 (11-1) Close up, ridden 13th, chased winner 3 out, kept on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 3, 3l behind Burton Port (11-5) at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) hvy in Dec.
Roman Conquest 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, hit 2 out, clear last, ran on, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Adroit Approach (11-6) by 7l, 11 ran.
Warne's Way (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until weakened 7th, soon behind, no chance when blundered 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, 48l behind Take The Breeze (11-10) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Wherrimon 12-1 (10-2) Held up, unseated 1st, in a race won by Lord Appellare (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 8 ran.