keen, held up in touch, lost place 6th, ridden and some headway 3 out, weakened next, not fluent last
always behind, pulled up 4 out
led, headed 3rd ridden and weakened 4 out
in touch, ridden and weakened before 7th, pulled up 3 out
held up in touch, tracked leader 6th, led before 3 out, ridden and ran on
tracked leaders, lost place after 3rd
held up, not fluent 5th, headway 7th, ridden and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, led 3rd, reminders before next, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened last
keen, held up in touch, weakened 6th, pulled up 3 out
held up in touch, lost place 4th, ridden and headway 3 out, stayed on to chase winner flat
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden 6th, weakening when not fluent 3 out
Il'athou is a tentative choice in a wide open contest, Albertas Run and King Louis look to be the best alternatives. Simon Sherwood's veteran ran no sort of race on heavy ground at Haydock last time out and in the end was pulled up. However he is better judged on his previous run when chasing home Wain Mountain. He reverts to hurdles this afternoon on a very decent mark and if his confidence hasn't been dented he should take all the beating. Albertas Run made a winning return to the track at Uttoxeter in October, before finding it tough in a better race at Haydock two months later. Back in more suitable company he looks set for a good performance. King Louis has hardly set the world alight this season but has strong claims on the pick of last season's form and could go well at a decent price. However the pick of the weights has to be Il'athou and this one gets our vote.
Secured (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Behind when fell at the 5th in race won by Broken Reed (11-0) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Dec, 8 ran.
Desperate Dex (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, weakened 8th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Just Beth (10-10) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Il'athou (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Led until approaching 10th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Roman Ark (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy, 5 ran.
King Louis (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 17l behind William Bonney (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) hvy.
Albertas Run (IRE) 4-6fav (11-1) Held up and reached wide, ridden and outpaced 4 out, blundered 2 out, hit last, one pace, 4th of 12, 12l behind Vicario (11-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Hambaphambili 20-1 (11-6) Keen, mid-division when fell at the 7th in race won by King of Gothland (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Ortega (FR) 50-1 (11-3) Held up, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, stayed on well, 3rd of 17, 14l behind Schuh Shine (11-2) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Greenfield (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 13th of 17, well behind Mikado (11-8) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Art Point (GER) 4-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 7th of 14, 14l behind Fort Ord (10-10) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Hot Lips Page (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 4 out, kept on, 4th of 16, 14l behind Trompette (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Optimum (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden and headway after 3 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 10l behind Karathaena (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
