pressed leader to 10th, soon ridden and dropped to rear, last when stumbled after 11th, pulled up before 3 out
soon led, headed after 10th, led again next, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened last
held up, struggling 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, challenged after 10th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
held up, headway to go 5th after 4 out, no further progess, went 4th near finish
held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, led after 3 out, driven out
held up, headway 8th, reminders after 11th, every chance when stumbled 4 out, not much room against rails and switched right flat, stayed on
prominent, led after 10th, headed and not fluent next, close up 3 out, beaten in 3rd when hit last
Nonrunner
OMME ANTIQUE is given another chance in preference to Hobbs Hill, No More Punts and the veteran Kappelhoff. The last named is a regular and popular visitor to this track and regularly finishes in the money; he's on a fair mark, ran well when last seen and could pick up a share of the spoils once again. No More Punts has more to prove under top weight but he can't have been easy for the handicapper to assess after three heavy defeats in races won by decent sorts. It's interesting that connections are persevering with him under Rules six years on from his previous foray and that they've booked a promising conditional to ride; the market may tell us whether they expect him to hold his own in this lesser grade. Hobb's Dream finished 6 lengths in front of Kappelhoff three starts ago and is now 8lbs worse off following his win at Plumpton over 3 miles two. However, that was only his fourth start over fences so there could be improvement to come. The selection has spent a long time in the wilderness following an encouraging run over hurdles in 2008 but the recent runs suggest that he could be about to emerge and he was unfortunate to bump into a rival at the top of his game last time. The longer trip should suit, he'll relish the ground and a 3lb rise may not prevent Omme Antique from going one better.
No More Punts (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Led to 4th, pressed leader, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 25l behind Mirage Dore (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Omme Antique (FR) 3-1fav (10-8) In touch, chased leaders approaching 10th, chased winner approaching last, stayed on, driven out, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Senor Shane (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Snow Patrol 33-1 (11-8) In touch, lost place 6th, headway approaching 3 out, no impression, went poor 4th approaching 2 out, 4th of 14, 26l behind Sovereign Spirit (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Dec.
Kinkeel (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Held up, pushed along in 5th after 7th, staying on and disputing 3rd when hampered 4 out, no impression soon after, 4th of 10, 20l behind Sea Saffron (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Lutin Collonges (FR) 9-1 (9-7) Always in rear, ridden and struggling after 8th, tailed off, broke blood vessel, 5th of 9, 45l behind Majy D'auteuil (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Killfinnan Castle (IRE) 3-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, went 3rd approaching 5th, weakened going to 2 out in 6th when fell last, in a race won by Celian (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Kiltimoney (IRE) 7-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, lost place 10th, behind when pulled up after 13th, in a race won by Its A Classic (11-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Kappelhoff (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, hampered after 4 out, headway before 2nd last, ran on, never nearer, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Ere Alfie (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Hobb's Dream (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led towards finish, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan beating Quartz Du Montceau (11-7) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
