made most, joined 3 out, narrowly headed before last, regained lead as winner not fluent, kept on well until headed near finish
pulled hard, tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, soon no extra and dropped to 3rd, eased
slightly hampered 1st., held up, in rear, tailed off 4 out
chased leaders, not fluent 11th, left modest 4th when blundered and hampered 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 11th, challenged 3 out, upsides soon after, led approaching last and not fluent, headed soon after, rallied gamely to regain lead near finish
towards rear, mistake and dropped to last 8th, mistake next, struggling after, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
close up, mistake 12th, 4th and well held when fell 2 out
blundered and unseated rider 1st
Nonrunner
It is likely that Fiftyonefiftyone will know his job for the Henderson team that does so well at this track, though he is unlikely to represent great value for his chasing debut, and we will oppose with EPIDAVROS, while Dover's Hill would be a huge danger with a clear round. However, that clear round for Mary Hambro's gelding is far from certain. He fell at the last here on Boxing Day when looking the likely winner of a novices' handicap chase, and then ran no sort of race last time at Doncaster. He has a fair bit to prove, though the ability is there. Superior Wisdom is of interest, though he does have fitness to prove after a long lay-off. If he is straight enough then his Aintree Listed hurdle run behind Forest Pennant in 2008 shows that he has what it takes to put in a big run on his introduction to fences. Summery Justice is another lightly-raced type who handles cut in the ground and is likely to show more now switched to chasing by Venetia Williams. Mark Of Brilliance has some experience but needs to show improvement to win his, and preference is for Epidavros. Alan King's string are in better form than when we last saw this gelding at Warwick in December. He probably showed improved form in that, his second chasing run, and he looks capable of finding more over this longer trip. He can take advantage of the age allowance and break his duck over fences.
Dover's Hill 8-1 (11-12) Close up early, lost place from 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Wogan (11-8) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Fiftyonefiftyone (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) In touch, headway to chase leaders 5th, went 2nd 4 out until before next, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Mr Gardner (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Gibbonsgrove (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up in last pair, mistake 1st, hit 6th, soon struggling, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind My Moment (11-0) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Rear Gunner (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) In touch, lost place before 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 13, 40l behind Polyfast (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Summery Justice (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Mid-division, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 18, 25l behind Big Eared Fran (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Sunsetten (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Close up, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Zabeel Palace (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Superior Wisdom (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Raced keenly, held up mid-division, moved closer 9th, led approaching 3 out, 5 lengths clear when hit 2 out, joined last, soon headed, stayed on flat, no extra near finish, 2nd of 22, 1 1/4l behind Forest Pennant (10-13) at Aintree 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr '08.
Epidavros (FR) 9-1 (10-9) In touch, pushed along briefly after 7th, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, every chance before 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Leo's Lucky Star (11-0) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Marc of Brilliance (USA) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 5, 13l behind King Brex (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
