held up in rear, pushed along when blundered 16th, pulled up before next
raced wide in touch, ridden 4 out, beaten next
close up, headway to join leader 5 out, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on one pace
led, not fluent 4th, headed 16th, remained prominent, pushed along next, ridden 4 out, beaten next
pressed leader, led 16th, joined next, headed 3 out, rallied to lead again next, ridden 4 lengths clear at last, stayed on
tracked leaders, mistake 4th and 4 out nearly unseated rider, kept on same pace from 2 out
NonRunner
Fact Of The Matter has gone close a couple of times this year but it’s more than four years since he won over conventional fences. Lord Getaway has been knocking on the door but Wick Green beat some disappointing types at Hereford. Ecossais stays well and should go close but UNO MAS has been cleverly placed to win four of his last five over hurdles and looks poised to take advantage of a lenient mark back over fences. Recent winners Jony Max and Fairlawn Flyer can chase him home despite a 6lb rise in the ratings.
Fact Of The Matter (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Always rear-division, never a factor, tailed off, 7th of 13, dist behind Strictlyadancer (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Wick Green 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 3rd until 5th, went 2nd 7th, challenged 15th, led 3 out, ridden and holding 2nd final 75 yards, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Champagne Noir (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Ecossais (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced home turn, kept on for distant fourth, 4th of 11, 30 1/2l behind Tallow For Coal (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Lord Getaway (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Led, increased tempo home turn, headed last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind No Cruise Yet (10-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Uno Mas 4-5fav (12-3) Made all, clear before 2 out, eased close home, won at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Abington Park (11-2) by 3 1/4l, 12 ran.
Jony Max (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Led, ridden when challenged 3 out, stayed on gamely, left clear approaching last, won going away, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (5) gd in Dec beating Lets Go Dutchess (10-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Fairlawn Flyer 5-1fav (11-7) Mid division, ridden along to make headway on outside 4 out, kept on to press leader last, stayed on well flat, won going away, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Nessfield Blue (10-11) by 1 3/4l, 17 ran.
