VAXALCO placed over 2m5f here before finding only one too good over even further at Huntingdon. The big drop in distance is a worry but he is due to go up another 4lb next week so looks the one to beat. By Rail has run up a decent sequence and blinkers could bring about some improvement while Edgar finished second back over fences at Plumpton. Champion Chase definitely needs further judged on his run at Sedgefield.
Blue Bullet (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place when ridden after 3 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
By Rail 4-1 (10-11) Chased leader until not fluent 4th, 2nd from 7th, led next, headed 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, last of 3, 32l behind Le Precieux (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gf in Dec.
Vaxalco (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway from inside 9th, went 2nd 2 out, pressing winner from last but always just held, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Itsamanslife (11-8) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Edgar (GER) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leader and clear of rest until 4th, led 8th, pushed 3 lengths ahead on long run before 2 out, headed last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Very Live (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Champion Chase (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Prominent, not fluent 6th, ridden 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Trooblue (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Hurricane Rita (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, never a threat, 6th of 12, 17l behind Lightentertainment (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
