led until 5th, chased winner, went left 13th, ridden well held and no chance before 3 out, kept on for clear 2nd
mid-division, closer approaching 4th, outpaced in 4th place when hit 11th, went modest 3rd 3 out until between last 2, went left last
mistake and lost place 2nd, well off the pace 7th, never a factor, tailed off
soon well off the pace in 5th, never on terms, weakened 13th, tailed off
chased leaders until mistake and lost place 3rd, towards rear and never on terms after, tailed off
off the pace in 7th, plugged on, never on terms
jumped well, raced wide, chased leaders, led 5th, clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly, easily
always off the pace towards rear, tailed off and struggling 11th
well off the pace in last pair, never a factor, tailed off
awkward 1st, well off the pace in last pair, closer on outside 12th, never on terms, poor 6th when blundered last
chased leading pair but never really on terms, ridden and lost 3rd 3 out, went 3rd again between last 2, never any chance
TOUCH KICK wins in his turn and can make it five wins from 13 starts over fences. He doesn't get much respite from the handicapper but ran really well here last time when beaten by a very well handicapped sort in Fingerontheswitch. Hopefully, there is nothing of a similar type lying in wait this time and the Nicholls charge can go one better. Another Stowaway came back to some form behind Dragon D'Estruval at Ludlow and has claims if backing up that improvement and Canelo has to be better than when a really disappointing favourite at Sandown in early December. He's had a good break since and is potentially interesting off his current mark. Legal Eyes was also way below form last time and now returns for a first start after wind surgery.
Kilfilum Cross (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Prominent, mistakes 9th and 10th, soon lost place, left in modest 4th 3 out, 4th of 9, dist behind Charmant (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Touch Kick (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Went left 1st, chased leaders, tracked leader after 2nd, led before 10th, ridden and headed before last where mistake, readily outpaced and no chance with winner run-in, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Fingerontheswitch (10-1) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Fixed Rate 6-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Princeton Royale (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Chased clear leader until 3rd, chased leaders, weakened 10th, behind and struggling next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Another Stowaway (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed last, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Dragon D'Estruval (11-12) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Vivas (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Off the pace in mid-division, lost place 8th, never on terms after, 9th of 11, 36 1/2l behind Just A Sting (11-1) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Legal Eyes (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistake 12th, soon weakened, pulled up 3 out, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Canelo (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Mistakes, held up, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened next, eased flat, 6th of 10, dist behind Dashing Perk (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Wicked Willy (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Behind, not fluent 9th, some headway after 15th, no impression, modest 5th when mistake 2 out, 6th of 9, 18 1/2l behind Roll Again (11-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Waikiki Waves (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Held up in 5th, went 4th before 8th, 3rd after 4 out, chance when blundered last weakened run-in, 5th of 9, 12 1/4l behind Mercy Mercy Me (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Boughtbeforelunch (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracking leaders when fell 1st, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
