tracked leader until 4th, remained close up, ridden 13th, weakened before 4 out
close up, blundered and fell 12th
held up in touch in rear, blundered and fell 9th
made all, jumped mainly right, ridden clear approaching bypassed 2 out, ran on
in touch, went 2nd 4th until 12th, ridden next, slow 14th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, chased winner 12th, pressed winner 4 out, jumped badly right next, outpaced approaching bypassed 2 out
PROMISING ANSHAN was only beaten a length by Cornish Sett when runner-up in a well-contested handicap at Wincanton last month. None of his rivals here have come close to matching that form and Paul Nicholl's six-year-old should have few problems opening his account over the larger obstacles today. Springfield Raki may be the one for forecast-backers as he wasn't beaten far despite finishing last of three at Market Rasen 10 days ago. Kitley Hassle clearly stays well as he was second over 4m at Exeter in December but he's been soundly beaten in two runs over shorter in handicap company since.
Hommage A Bach (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Raced in 2nd, ridden and weakened after 4 out, trailing from 2 out, 7th of 13, 44l behind Drop Anchor (11-1) at Bellewstown 3m mdn hdl gd in Aug.
Kitley Hassle 7-1 (11-11) Chased leading trio, ridden and struggling from 4 out, no chance after, 5th of 7, 13l behind Tuskar Rock (11-2) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Nodforms Paula (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear on outer, pushed along 9th, weakening when fell 12th, in a race won by Regal Approach (10-11) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Promising Anshan (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged after 12th, led 15th, headed approaching 3 out, stayed with every chance until out battled flat, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Cornish Sett (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Rester Vrai (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Soon back in mid-division, last 8th, struggling 10th, mistake and pulled up 12th, in a race won by Normandy Landings (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Springfield Raki 18-1 (10-12) Tracked leading duo, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on again from 3 out, kept on steadily flat, last of 3, 4 1/2l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (3) gd.
