chased leaders, ridden to chase winner before 3 out, tried to challenge and mistake 2 out, soon beaten
led, ridden and headed well before 3 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake next
held up, driven and no impression after 11th, weakened next
not jump well, blundered and lost place 3rd, behind when mistake 9th and next, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
tracked leader, led well before 3 out, in command soon after next, ridden out
not jumped well, mistake 1st, held up last, brief effort before 12th, soon tailed off, pulled up before last
chased leaders, weakened 12th, well behind from next, tailed off
Duncliffe is improving fast and is taken to have the measure of Copsale Lad, Lacdoudal and Mambo, with Limerick Boy and Manly Money making for an exciting renewal. The fact that Duncliffe was entered for the Racing Post Chase shows how highly he is regarded by trainer Robert Alner who has probably made the right choice in taking on the novices here. His eight-year-old has rattled up a hat-trick of successes over fences, including here on Boxing Day, and as he is proven going right-handed, he should make a bold bid. Copsale Lad and Mambo give Nicky Henderson a strong hand, but not as strong as if Trabolgan had been left in. Best of the duo on this occasion could be the former who chased home Liverpool Echo on his last visit here. He would be best served by a step up in trip though and is opposed. Stablemate Mambo impressed with his jumping when accounting for Lacdoudal at Sandown in November and the form of that race has worked out particularly well. However, he was pulled up behind Fundamentalist at Cheltenham next time and has been off since. Limerick Boy sidestepped an engagement at Haydock on Thursday to wait for this but has to improve to figure along with Manly Money, who to be fair has taken on decent company of late including Chauvinist. A good bunch of novices turn out here, and we expect Duncliffe to prove best.
Lacdoudal (FR) 9-4 Tracked leaders, led 7th to 12th, led again after 4 out, narrowly headed 2 out, close up last, one pace flat, 3rd of 5, 2l behind El Vaquero at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs Grd 1 (A) gs.
Duncliffe 11-10jt-fav Made all, soon clear, mistake 9th, drew clear again 4 out, hung right from 2 out, ran on flat, won at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (C) gs in Jan beating Tana River by 23l, 6 ran.
Joely Green 12-1 Behind most of way, 11th of 13, 44l behind Code Sign at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in May '03.
Limerick Boy (GER) 11-4 Chased leader, mistake 7th, joined leader 10th, led 11th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from last, 2nd of 7, 18l behind Sleep Bal at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (C) gs.
Mambo (IRE) 7-1 Tracked leader to 3rd, prominent, pushed along 6th, soon weakened, 4th and no chance when refused 5 out in race won by Fundamentalist at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov, 5 ran.
Manly Money 9-4 Tracked leading pair from 7th, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd under pressure before last, no impression, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Chauvinist at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs (C) gs.
