prominent, led before 2 out, clear after last, easily
with leaders, led after 1st, headed before 2 out, soon outpaced, rallied from last, went 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
in rear but in touch, weakened after 3 out
led, headed after 1st, remained close up, mistake 4th, ridden and not fluent last, lost 2nd place run-in
chased leaders, hit 3rd, reminders after, tailed off before 5th
held up in touch, pushed along after 3 out, soon outpaced, no impresion after
held up in touch, every chance before and mistake 2 out, weakened run-in
Four of the six wins achieved by ROSOFF have featured heavy in the going description, most recently at Lingfield when the gelding comfortably repelled the challenge of Mallusk. Back over hurdles here, Laura Mongan's charge can make the most of his love of demanding conditions and supplement those Lingfield gains off a decent mark. Venetia Williams has no peers when it comes to running up sequences with stable inmates so Nagpur, a shock winner at Lingfield last time, needs to be taken very seriously. He faces a tough task under his penalty but handled this ground well enough in his native France and is a leading contender. Trop Fort is steadily finding his form and merits shortlist inclusion alongside the consistent if exposed Forest Rhythm.
Nagpur (FR) 40-1 (11-5) Raced wide, held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 6th, went 3rd 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden to narrow lead between last 2, driven out and held on closing stages, won at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) sft beating The Tracey Shuffle (11-5) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Amirico (IRE) 6-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway on outside approaching 3 out, hit 3 out, hung right and weakened before 2 out, 11th of 18, 20l behind Enfant De Lune (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Forest Rhythm (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Double Handful (11-1) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Mirific (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Close up, ridden before last, one pace, 4th of 15, 11l behind Rowan Tiger (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Sahrati 100-1 (11-6) Prominent, lost place after 3rd, behind 5th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Grams And Ounces (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Rosoff (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Chased leading trio, not fluent and pushed along 6th, went 3rd after 4 out, challenged between horses 2 out, soon hanging badly left, hung left and led flat, ridden out, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy beating Mallusk (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Time Book (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, behind after 6th, never in contention, 7th of 12, 46l behind Balder Succes (11-0) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Trop Fort (FR) 15-2 (10-11) Led to after 1st, regained lead after next, ridden after 4 out, headed next, soon one pace, no impression with leading pair from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Shadows Lengthen (11-6) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.