tracked leaders, joined winner 8th until weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
led until 3rd, stumbled badly next, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, took closer order 11th, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, kept on
held up, took closer order and mistake 10th, pecked 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
held up, badly hampered and unseated rider 4th
tracked leaders, hit 7th and 11th, pressed winner from 4 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra
tracked leaders, led 3rd, made rest, kept on gamely from 3 out, ridden out
Translucid is an interesting contender despite the burden of top weight but Christian Von der Recke's gelding faces no easy task on his first start since May so may be best watched in a race where the vote goes to Macmar, who is preferred to Balladeer and East Lawyer. The last mentioned has been given a two month break by Paul Nicholls since disappointing when last seen and would have claims on the pick of his form. The seven-year-old has not always been the most reliable of customers though; a comment that also applies to the Venetia Williams-trained Avitta, who can never be backed with any confidence. Jonjo O'Neill's Pietro Vannucci ran better at Warwick last time and makes more appeal than Walcot Lad, who may find conditions softer than ideal. Balladeer bounced back to winning ways here early last month but, not for the first time, failed to get round in his only start subsequently and he remains one to be wary of. Macmar has looked a better jumper than most of these from limited opportunities and found only the potentially useful Saintsaire too good last time. Robert Alner's gelding has an obvious chance off the same mark today and he gets the vote.
Translucid (USA) 9-10fav (10-2) won by 11l from Sovereign Gay (10-1) at Krefeld 2m 1 1/2m chs sft in May, 8 ran.
Avitta (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 10th, hampered 12th and 13th, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 33l behind The Duckpond (11-0) at Warwick 3m nov chs (D) sft in Dec.
Balladeer (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Mistake and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Royal Hector (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd, 8 ran.
Macmar (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, led after 4 out, hit next, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Saintsaire (11-12) at Windsor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
East Lawyer (FR) 4-1 (11-1) Towards rear, jumped slowly throughout, mistake 2nd and 5th, soon lost touch, 5th of 6, 24l behind Serpentine Rock (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
Pietro Vannucci (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Pass Me A Dime (11-3) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
Walcot Lad (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Chased leader, led 7th, blundered and headed 10th, ridden and every chance 4 out, jumped slowly 3 out, kept on one pace from last, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Alphabetical (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
