held up in touch, bad mistake and unseated rider 4th
held up, not fluent 7th, closed 14th until next, weakened 18th, tailed off
tracked leader 3rd, led when not fluent 14th, headed next, led after 16th until 18th, led 4 out, not fluent 3 out, headed before next, stayed on same pace, flattered by proximity to winner
led until after 1st, chased leaders, mistake 7th, not fluent 12th, chased winner 2 out, no impression from last, lost 2nd towards finish
led after 1st, headed 14th, led next, mistake 16th, soon headed, led 18th until in tight 4 out, led again before 2 out, clear from last, eased towards finish
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, hit 6th and dropped to last, mistake 17th, closed before 4 out, soon weakened, jumped left 3 out, pulled up before next
Vamizi usually goes well when managing to complete the course but that isn't often enough. Qhilimar is a powerful stayer who had no chance at the weights in the Hennessey last time though should give his young rider a thrill but Captain Americo has won just once over fences and is still looking a bit high in the weights. Jaunty Journey has run three times over these fences and failed to finish any of them which doesn't augur well for his chances so LOCKSTOWN looks the one to be on. Ann Hamilton's charge just failed to complete a hat-trick of staying chase victories when touched off by Eyre Square at Kelso and though another 4lb higher the in-form Lucy Alexander's claim will be a big plus. Bold Ransom, who was having his first start for a very long time when 11l behind Lockstown at Carlisle, should get closer without turning the tables.
Qhilimar (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Mistake 8th, always in rear, tailed off, 14th of 18, well behind Carruthers (10-4) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.
Lockstown 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division in touch, mistake 16th, chased leaders under pressure after 4 out, driven and outpaced next, ridden after 2 out, went 2nd over 1f out, soon every chance, stayed on well, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Eyre Square (10-9) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft.
Captain Americo (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) In touch on outside, hampered by loose horse 6th, effort between last 2, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 4th of 12, 14l behind Eyre Square (10-9) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft.
Jaunty Journey 11-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, led 13th, headed 17th,led before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Dermatologiste (10-5) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Bold Ransom (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Held up in 6th, jumped slowly 6th, headway approaching 11th, chased leaders next, stayed on same pace fom 3 out, 4th of 7, 11l behind Lockstown (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Vamizi (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) With leader, ridden and outpaced 4 out, weakening when hit next, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Court Red Handed (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
