tracked winner, ridden approaching 4 out, well held form 3 out, lost 2nd towards finish
held up in touch, last after 2nd, not fluent 4th, not fluent and lost touch from 6th, went remote 4th before 3 out
made all, not fluent 6th, mistake next, clear from 3 out, unchallenged, easily
tracked leaders, reminders before 5th, outpaced after 7th, went 3rd after 4 out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
held up, not fluent 3rd, went 3rd 7th, ridden and struggling 9th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Cypress Grove is hardly the most consistent of performers but came here a couple of weeks ago and gained his second success on the course. A 5lb rise for landing that poor contest looks harsh while it's difficult to fancy Try Catch Me despite first-time blinkers as he has shown very little since arriving from Ireland. Manjam has been racing on the Flat in Belgium but had won twice over hurdles in the UK in 2009 so isn't out of this though it's CURRAGH DANCER who gets the vote as he scored over slightly further here in November and has only run twice subsequently.
Manjam (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) With leader, hit 6th, pushed along and lost place before 6 out, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 19l behind Daneva (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Jul.
Cypress Grove (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Led until 2nd, chased leader until 5th, stayed in 3rd, hung right from 9th, driven after next, headway to lead 3 out, clear before last, stayed on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Devils River (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Try Catch Me (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, mistake 9th, pushed along in 5th after 10th, went 4th before 3 out, plugged on to 3rd close home, no chance with leading duo, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Killfinnan Castle (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Curragh Dancer (FR) 9-1 (10-8) Led, hard driven and headed approaching 6th, weakened 3 out, lost 3rd next, 4th of 5, 18l behind She's Humble (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
She's Jolly (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Tracked winner, led 2nd until approaching 5th, lost 2nd 3 out, soon driven and no chance with leading pair, tailed off, 3rd of 4, 43l behind How's Business (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 4f mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) gs in Feb.
Tchang Goon (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Left 3rd and hampered 2nd, no chance with leading duo after 4 out, 3rd of 4, 30l behind City Heights (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr '10.
Paddy The Yank (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Prominent on outside, lost place after 7th, soon behind, 6th of 8, 43l behind Lady Willa (11-9) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Feb.
