made all, ridden and quickened up 2 out, clear last
tracked leaders and keen, jumped left 4th, tracked winner 7th, one pace from 2 out
in touch, mistake 3rd, lost place 8th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader and keen, lost 2nd 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, mistake and weakened
held up, jumped left 6th, smooth headway after 3 out to chase winner, no impression flat
held up, ridden 2 out, never dangerous
A modest turn out for a race that Gary Moore has won twice in the last three years and he's represented by last year's winner SOLE AGENT who may be good enough to go in again. Nous Voila has completely lost his way and hasn't done enough to suggest that he'll be winning soon, even in a race as bad as this. Sula's Legend is a little more interesting as this is his first run over fences so he's worth checking for market support but his form over hurdles doesn't jump off the page. The pick of Great Tsar's form would put him in contention but he's disappointed the last twice whilst Funny Fellow can't even boast of having run a couple of decent races. Zorro De La Vega won't be putting these rivals to the sword judged on recent evidence so that only leaves us with Sole Agent. He's 11lbs higher than when winning the race last year and was well held at Ludlow last time when tried in cheekpieces which he also wore when last successful. They're absent today and he's by no means guaranteed to run his race but this may well be his Gold Cup and we'll take Sole Agent to lift the trophy.
Sole Agent (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) In rear, detached from 4th, 9th of 10, well behind Lorient Express (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Nous Voila (FR) 50-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear when pecked and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Ordre de Bataille (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Dec, 10 ran.
Sula's Legend 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and found nil from 3 out, left poor 4th last, 4th of 17, 28l behind Deep Pockets (11-7) at Exeter 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Great Tsar (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 7th, chased leading pair from 9th, weakened approaching last, 5th of 7, 21l behind Battlefield (9-12) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Funny Fellow 22-1 (11-9) Chased winner until 2 out, weakened into 5th when pulled up at the last in race won by Amir El Jabal (11-12) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs, 7 ran.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 22-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon weakened, hampered by loose horse 2 out, 9th of 12, well behind Laharna (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
