prominent, jumped slowly throughout, reminders after 1st, weakened 7th, rallied 3 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, never a threat
led after 1st, headed 2 out, weakened quickly
chased leaders, weakened 5 out, soon tailed off, pulled up 4 out
held up in touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden to lead after last, ran on strongly
held up in rear but in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 th, led 2 out, headed after last, no extra closing stages
led until after 1st, remained prominent, hard driven after 4 out, weakened next, behind when fell last
MAJOR IVAN may finally get his head back in front after a string of placed efforts. He found one too good here last month with Oscar Blue back in fourth and a below-par Listen And Learn well beaten. Isaacstown Lad didn't get very far when coming a cropper at Carlisle last time but had rattled-up a hat-trick before that and is not easily dismissed while though Ugly Bug steps up in class after a second at Exeter he is still preferred to the struggling Sybarite.
Sybarite (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Went badly right 1st, behind, pulled up before 5th, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Major Ivan (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Island Heights (11-8) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Listen And Learn (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Raced wide towards rear, pushed along 7th, weakened 4 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Island Heights (11-8) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Isaacstown Lad (IRE) 85-40fav (10-11) Midfield, when fell 5th, at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Oscar Blue (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) With winner from 2nd, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Island Heights (11-8) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Ugly Bug 7-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, led 5 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on and held towards finish (last hurdle omitted), 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Knight Ofthe Realm (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
