tracked leaders, led before 3 out, joined 3 out, soon headed, ridden and no chance with winner from 2 out
took keen hold, tracked leaders went 2nd 6th, pushed along and every chance before 3 out, ridden in 3rd before next, kept on same pace
took keen hold, held up in 5th, headway tracking leaders 8th, travelling well after 4 out, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear from 2 out, easily
led, not fluent 4th, pushed along and headed before 3 out, weakened quickly, poor 4th when pulled up before the last
chased leader until 6th, chased leaders but pushed along, outpaced after 9th, left poor 4th before the last
Nonrunner
Flaming Charmer has had a stop-start career but was impressive at Exeter last month, though has never won off a mark this high. Bishops Court beat an in-form rival over a shorter trip here on Boxing Day and is progressing nicely over fences. The mare DRUMVIREDY (NAP) was making her debut over the larger obstacles when fourth at Towcester. She just got tired in the closing stages that day and better is expected given she did win between the flags back in 2014. Comeonginger has become expensive to follow but is a previous course and distance winner so looks best of the rest.
Flaming Charmer (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, edged left before next, ridden and 3 lengths down 2 out, stayed on to lead and left clear last, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Dance Floor King (11-5) by 9l, 10 ran.
Mr Muddle 11-1 (11-10) Mid-division on outside, headway after 7th, chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 9th, at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Bishops Court 5-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 5 out, went 3rd 4 out, led last, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Mercian King (11-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
Comeonginger (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Led until ridden and headed after 4 out, weakened on long run before next, 4th of 9, dist behind Better Days (10-3) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Drumviredy (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 6th, hampered and left in lead 12th, headed 2 out, one pace, 4th of 14, 8l behind Goohar (11-4) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Highbury High (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Held up, on inside, well in touch before 11th, driven 2 out, close 4th when mistake last, no extra flat, 4th of 6, 5l behind Arquebusier (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
