held up in rear, struggling in 8th after 9th, modest 5th 4 out, went left next, left poor 4th 2 out, soon dropped to 5th, tailed off
took keen hold, soon held up towards rear, steady headway to modest 4th before 4 out, no chance when fell 2 out
chased leaders until blundered and almost unseated rider 5th, lost place soon after, well behind at 9th, pulled up before next
chased leaders, reminders after 4th, led before 7th, headed next, ridden and struggling after 9th, weakened next, left poor 5th 3 out, went poor 4th after 2 out, tailed off
never travelled or jumped with any fluency, in touch, mistake 2nd and not fluent 7th, driven and struggling after 9th, pulled up before next
chased leader, led 8th, made rest, came clear after 4 out, eased towards finish
led until headed before 7th, chased leading pair until pushed along before 10th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
held up towards rear, steady headway to get in behind leaders 7th, went 2nd after 9th, challenged approaching 4 out, trying to close when blundered 3 out, no chance after, weakened to 3rd last
last pair, steady headway 9th, chased leading pair next, stayed on to 2nd at last, no chance with easy winner
Old stager Rash Moment could make the frame in this but it's difficult to see him overturning course running last month with Sulpius, though Bob Buckler's gelding blotted his copybook when coming a cropper at Folkestone next time. However, he still looks the danger to the unexposed LAPIN GAROU. Nick Williams' five-year-old was clearly still in need of the experience when tailed off at Uttoxeter as he'd pulled up in his only previous run over fences in France. But he's the type his trainer excels with and he would have to go close in this if he was to have a future. Brousse En Feux, Solitary Palm and Midnight Charmer could all figure if the principals disappoint again.
Brousse En Feux (FR) 25-1 (10-13) In touch when blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Musical Wedge (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Rock Salmon 25-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by Master Neo (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov, 13 ran.
Himayna 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 18, 36l behind Tisfreetdream (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f am hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Somerby (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear in touch, struggling 7th, plugged on same pace, no chance with leaders, last of 5, 43l behind Sire De Grugy (11-7) at Lingfield 2m nov chs (4) hvy in Nov.
Lapin Garou (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 1st, hampered 10th, weakened from 12th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Valmari (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Sulpius (GER) 11-4 (11-4) Held up in touch in 5th, closed 4th, reminder after 7th, not fluent 10th, went 2nd 3 out, upsides when fell 2 out, in a race won by Thedreamstillalive (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and went 3rd 11th, weakened by- passing 4 out, lost 3rd 2 out, 4th of 7, well behind Musical Wedge (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Join The Navy 13-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure before 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Doctor Ric (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in May.
Midnight Charmer 9-2 (9-7) In touch, headway to chase leaders 5th, brushed 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 7, 17l behind Bishophill Jack (11-12) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Rash Moment (FR) 12-1 (10-2) Tracked leader until 4 out, blundered next, one pace, 4th of 5, 16l behind Well Refreshed (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
