held up, headway 11th, effort after 4 out, weakened next
disputed lead until 9th, chased leaders, ridden after 10th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, steady progress from 8th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led last, stayed on well
disputed lead until 11th, soon driven along, rallied approaching 2 out, pecked last, stayed on to go 2nd close home
held up, stumbled slipped and unseated rider 11th
mid-division, not fluent 8th and dropped rear, lost touch after 10th, tailed off and pulled up before last
in touch, went 2nd after 12th, led after 4 out, found little when headed last
chased leaders, led 11th until after 4 out, weakened quickly next, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, joined leaders 4th, jumped slowly next and lost place, lost touch from 11th, pulled up before 3 out
Radcliffe is selected ahead of Polar Scout and He's The Gaffer. Radcliffe is far from the most frequent of winners but today's trip should be to his liking and as he can handle the surface, he receives the percentage call in a difficult affair. Polar Scout was well punted on his reappearance from a long absence. That ended in defeat but it will be interesting to see if those punters are back. It's Definite is a course specialist although there is a suspicion that he might be better on faster ground. Native Commander is in good heart at the moment and would have place claims if reproducing his most recent effort. Radcliffe has most ticks in the right boxes and is accordingly nominated.
Polar Scout (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Held up, improved 8th, left 3rd and hampered 4 out, soon weakened out, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Before The Mast (10-10) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Radcliffe (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Tracked leader, led 5th until 8th, led 10th, headed 4 out, weakened last, 5th of 6, 12l behind Rosses Point (10-8) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
He's The Gaffer (IRE) 9-2 (9-13) Held up, headway 13th, every chance 3 out, 3rd and held when left 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Deferlant (10-10) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
It's Definite (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, headway 15th, ridden 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Rival Bidder (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Native Commander (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up, hit 3rd, smooth progress from 9th, effort after 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Coach Lane (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Premier Estate (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) Raced wide, always last, last of 5, well behind Avitta (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Alcatras (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Held up, behind, stayed on flat, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 26l behind Bob The Builder (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Glen Thyne (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Held up, headway 6th, joined leaders 3 out, led 2 out, joined not fluent and soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Billy Bray (11-9) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov.
Spider Boy 9-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders and mistakes, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind The Hardy Boy (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
