held up, headway 12th, pressed leader 3 out, ridden to lead briefly approaching last, no extra flat
held up, headway approaching 10th, close up 3 out, ridden to lead last, driven out
in touch, ridden after 4 out, held when stumbled 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden after 11th, led 4 out until next, weakening when hampered 2 out
mid-division, headway 9th, led 13th until 4 out, regained lead approaching 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, no extra
prominent, taken narrow advantage when blundered 12th, soon headed, weakened 15th, not recover
chased leaders until hit 8th, disputing 6th when blundered and unseated rider 5 out
chased leaders until lost position 9th, soon driven along, no impression from 4 out
led, mistake 4th, headed 12th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 3 out, mistake last
always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 14th
The picture here is far from clear but we'll take a chance with Rowdy Yeats. The unexposed Caipiroska must be given a chance whilst Chopneyev won well enough last time to make the short-list. The selection has already proved a better chaser than hurdler, winning four of his nine starts, but struggled a little when his sights were raised. Two miles round Aintree was always going to be on the sharp side for him but he followed that with a fair run in the Grand Sefton despite a tired fall three from home. He's been given plenty of time to recover and may be able to resume his upward curve. Caipiroska has been progressing and should win more races from his current mark and this consistent sort looks sure to be there or thereabouts at the finish. Chopneyev faces a different task here than at Folkestone but he's still well handicapped on the pick of his old form and doesn't have too many miles on the clock. Dangerous to put a line through too many in an open handicap but that trio appeal most and preference is for Rowdy Yeats.
Briery Fox (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) In rear, blundered and struggling 11th, moderate headway from 3 out, no chance when hit next, 6th of 13, 18l behind Vodka Bleu (10-3) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gf in Dec.
Herecomestanley 25-1 (10-2) In rear when fell 3 out in race won by Vodka Bleu (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Stan (NZ) 6-1 (11-9) Held up, steady headway 12th, ridden 4 out, no extra after 2 out, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Mcevoy (11-1) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Sixo (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up and behind, mistake 4th, short-lived effort approaching 16th, soon struggling, hampered 17th, tailed off, 6th of 13, well behind D'Argent (11-7) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Lidjo De Rouge (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Behind from halfway, 11th of 20, 34l behind An Accordion (10-3) at Doncaster 3m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jan.
Rowdy Yeats (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 12th, headed 4 out, 3rd and ridden when fell 3 out in race won by Lampion Du Bost (9-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 22 ran.
Mr Fluffy 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, mistake 8th, challenged from 13th, hit 16th, ridden and beaten after 4 out, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Trust Fund (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Inaro (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Prominent, chased winner 11th, driven after 3 out, no extra from next, 4th of 11, 9l behind Cossack Dancer (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Chopneyev (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Prominent, led 6th, mistake 11th, ridden clear after 3 out, ran on, won at Folkestone 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan beating Randolph O'Brien (11-8) by 13l, 10 ran.
Brumous (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 12th, dropped to rear 14th, behind when fell 3 out in race won by Nougat de L'Isle (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Caipiroska 5-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway 14th, went 3rd going well approaching 4 out, effort 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Huka Lodge (10-8) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
