held up in rear, steady headway when mistake 12th, tracked leader well before 2 out to approaching last where left 2 lengths 2nd, no impression flat
mid-division, mistake and weakened 10th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
led until narrowly headed 8th, tracked leader until mistake and lost place 12th, well behind when blundered 2 out and pulled up before last
not always fluent, held up in mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, no impression and lost 3rd run-in
chased leaders in 3rd until jumped left 7th, lost place next, soon tailed off
behind, ridden and lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
not fluent in touch, headway to track leading pair 8th, mistake 10th, chased leader 12th, weakened and pulled up well before 2 out
in touch, headway to chase leaders and driven after 3 out, challenged from 2 out, ridden to take narrow lead when left 2 lengths clear last, driven out
tracked leader, led 8th, narrowly headed, ridden and blundered, unseated rider last
not jump well, always behind, tailed off 10th, pulled up before 2 out
behind, stayed on under pressure after 3 out, went poor 3rd run-in
A tricky race on paper can go to Uncle Max ahead of Spanish Tan, Sett Aside and Minat Boy to name but three. There are too many in with chance here to be ultra-confident, but one thing that is certain is that Uncle Max would have been involved in the finish at Towcester 11 days ago had he not got rid of Anthony Evans when just starting to make his move down the far side. He is no world beater, but that was only his third ever outing over fences and at the age of six, the Nigel Twiston-Davies inmate has time on his side. Spanish Tan is sure to have his supporters, but he is less experienced than the selection even and is best watched on his chase debut as he is plunged straight into handicap company. Sett Aside was more than a distance behind Copsale Lad at Lingfield last time, while Minat Boy is nothing special but has a squeak on his second to Jolly Boy at Plumpton the time before last. None of these can be called reliable just yet, but Uncle Max should at least be in the shake-up if staying upright.
Malko de Beaumont (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 14th, 4th and weakening when fell 2 out in race won by Boundary House (10-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs (4) sft, 14 ran.
Uncle Max (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, driven when mistake and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Wages (11-2) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 13 ran.
Designer Label (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Blundered 1st, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Rosses Point (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs, 9 ran.
Inaki (FR) 11-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, mistake and reminder 7th, weakening when blundered 4 out, 5th of 7, well behind Barton Nic (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Spanish Tan (NZ) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 14, 22l behind Percussionist (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Smeathe's Ridge 9-2 (10-6) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 7th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 12, 33l behind Passenger Omar (11-2) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Minat Boy 7-2 (10-0) Made most to 5th, stayed prominent, led 10th, blundered and headed 4 out, 4th and no chance when blundered 2 out, mistake last, 4th of 7, 35l behind Barton Nic (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Spider Boy 20-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, headway after 3 out, chased leading pair 2 out, kept on flat to press for 2nd near finish but no chance with winner, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Merry Storm (10-3) at Folkestone 2m 5f amt hcp chs (5) sft.
