tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, ridden after 12th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
chased leader, led after 3 out, headed before 2 out where jumped left, no extra last
mid-division, not fluent 6th, ridden and lost place next, tailed off
mid-division, closed 7th, led before 2 out, ridden and edged left flat, soon headed, held towards finish
led, clear after 1st, not fluent 6th, headed after 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, 4th and beaten when jumped left 2 out, went 3rd last, well held by front pair
held up, headway 8th, mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, went 2nd before last, led flat, stayed on
Nonrunner
Evella's win in an amateurs' race at Fakenham doesn't amount to much and she has a 7lb penalty here. There may be more to come from Brandon Thomas and Sophonie but Sawago looked very one-paced at Folkestone last time. Chestnut Ben probably needed his run at Uttoxeter last month and won here last March but we'll forgive MEMORABILIA his first run over fences at Market Rasen and he may have too much class for these. John Ferguson's five-year-old was racing for the first time since February at the Lincolnshire track and is better judged on last season's campaign over hurdles which included a smooth victory at Ludlow, another tight right-handed course.
Ajzal (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind No No Bingo (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Sophonie (FR) 15-8 (11-3) Pressed leader, led narrowly 2nd, headed after 7th, chased leader until approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, beaten when went right and blundered next, tailed off, 5th of 6, 34l behind Anay Turge (10-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Brandon Thomas (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, mistake 7th, hard ridden 4 out, kept on approaching last, 5th of 9, 35l behind Classical Mist (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Memorabilia 13-2 (10-0) In touch, weakened 6th, behind next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Marie Des Anges (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 2f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Evella (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) With leader, jumped well, led approaching 7th, clear 9th, easily, won at Fakenham 2m 5f Am hcp ch 0-100 (5) sft beating Farewellatmidnight (11-6) by 11l, 3 ran.
Unwanted Gift (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Keen held up in touch, headway to lead at 5th, joined 8th, ridden to lead 10th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly next, distant 3rd when virtually pulled up flat, 4th of 5, well behind Gorey Lane (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Bobby Dove 25-1 (9-12) Held up in touch, mistake 7th, headway next, went 2nd 4 out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd approaching last, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 7, 13l behind Denali Highway (11-8) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Led, mistake 1st, soon headed, pressed leader, hit 4 out, lost 2nd next, no extra soon after, last of 4, 15l behind Anay Turge (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Sawago (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Chased leading trio, challenging for close 2nd when carried left 3 out, driven before 2 out, rallied to 2nd last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Quapriland (10-11) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec.