tracked leader until after 2nd, ridden approaching 7th, weakened after 9th, tailed off
in rear, mistake 1st, headway approaching 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3rd, went 2nd next, led after 9th, dived at 4 out, clear from next, stayed on well
tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, weakened 4 out
led, jumped right and hit 5th, not fluent 8th, headed after next, weakened 3 out, blundered 2 out
held up, headway approaching 7th, went 2nd before 4 out, no impression next
held up, headway after 2nd, hit next and lost place, hit 5th, behind when blundered 9th, pulled up before 4 out
NORMALLY was successful over C&D earlier this month and a 7lb rise may not be enough to prevent Peter Bowen's charge from going in again as most of today's rivals are struggling for form. Turbulance is the exception as he finished runner-up at Ludlow last time and looks the main danger, though Pacha D'Oudairies best efforts of last year entitle him to consideration. Derawar scored here last March but hasn't made the frame in four subsequent starts and the remainder are hard to fancy.
Normally 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2nd until after 8th, outpaced approaching 4 out, rallied 2 out, led flat, stayed on, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Fleur De Vassy (11-7) by 5l, 5 ran.
Oran Flyer (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 3 out, no extra in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 16l behind Hidden Present (11-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 hvy in Dec.
Backstreet Billy (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 8th, tracking leaders when blundered 11th, not recover and soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Dont Tell Sailor (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Pacha D'Oudairies (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division in touch, chased leaders under pressure before 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, never on terms, 4th of 12, 19l behind Ballyegan (11-6) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Turbulance (IRE) 17-2 (11-8) With leader, led 4th, headed next, led again 110th driven 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace and no impression flat, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind One More Dinar (11-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp ch 0-95 (5) gs.
Derawar (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, 9th of 16, well behind Ukrainian Star (11-7) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Rockandahardplace (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 8th until 4 out, chased leading pair but not on terms when lost 3rd and weakened well before next, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Lundy Sky (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
