always behind
in touch, not fluent 12th, weakened 4 out
led until blundered 10th, hit 12th, soon pulled up
held up in rear, headway 4 out, effort next, weakening when mistake last
in touch, pushed along and lost place 10th, no danger after
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, lost place 10th
tracked leaders, went second 11th, ridden after 4 out, lost second towards finish
tracked leader, led 10th, ridden out
mid-division, headway 10th, effort after 4 out, jumped left next, weakened and pulled up
mid-division, weakening when mistake 4 out, pulled up before next
towards rear, outpaced 4 out, rallied after 3 out, stayed on well to chance winner towards finish
Though 0-5 over fences, CARLOS DU FRUITIER has run well the last twice over 3m and the drop back in trip may help him get off the mark as he’s arguably well treated compared to a number of these including stablemate Delire D'Estruval. Vivas has only been beaten once over fences so far but Lough Derg Spirit has been absent since beat three rivals at Wetherby in October. Warthog beat Glen Rocco and Turtle Wars at Sandown but that was a race marred by casualties and David Pipe’s novice has been raised a harsh-looking 12lb. Storm Home could outrun big odds as he’s well handicapped on his hurdles form while Envoye Special came up against Kalashnikov on his chasing bow at Plumpton. Dell Oro was beaten in a three-runner race here last month so will need to find improvement.
Vivas (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 3 out, clear from last, easily, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Dec beating Dentley De Mee (11-3) by 8l, 4 ran.
Delire D'Estruval (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Off the pace in 5th place, hit 5th, jumped slowly and in last pair next, behind and struggling 7th, tailed off next, left remote 4th and slightly hampered last, 4th of 7, 29 1/2l behind Knocknanuss (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Warthog (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Made all, drew clear from 7th, unchallenged after, eased down towards finish (3rd last fence omitted on both circuits), won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Molly Carew (10-7) by 4l, 14 ran.
Dell Oro (FR) 15-8 (11-2) Jumped well, raced keenly, tracked winner, challenged 2 out, led narrowly soon after, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 3, 2l behind Chesterfield (11-2) at Kempton 2m 2f (4) gd in Nov.
Lough Derg Spirit (IRE) 4-9fav (11-3) Led 1st, blundered and headed 4th, tracked leader, disputed lead from 10th, led again when left clear 4 out, blundered next, 2 lengths advantage 2 out, ridden and asserted clear again approaching last, won at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct beating Cool Mix (11-3) by 7l, 4 ran.
Storm Home (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, loosing place when hit 4 out, weakened 2 out, landed awkwardly next, last of 7, 26l behind Wenyerreadyfreddie (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f (3) gd in Nov.
Envoye Special (FR) 4-1 (10-8) Tracked front pair, went 2nd after 3 out, driven and one pace before next, no threat to very easy winner, 2nd of 6, 18l behind Kalashnikov (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Lisdoonvarna Lad (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway chasing leaders 8th, 2nd before 3 out until before next, weakened run-in, 4th of 8, 19 3/4l behind Drovers Lane (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Carlos Du Fruitier (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led before 15th until 3 out, chased winner until next, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 11, 11 1/4l behind King Of Realms (11-8) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Glen Forsa (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) In touch, headway 6th, led after next, not fluent 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Garrane (11-2) by 2l, 14 ran.
Awake At Midnight 11-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, hampered 2 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 13 1/2l behind Siruh Du Lac (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Turtle Wars (FR) 4-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, hampered by loose horses before 4th, badly hampered and lost place 6th, no danger after, 5th of 14, dist behind Warthog (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Glen Rocco 15-2 (11-1) Mid-division, hampered by loose horses before 4th, headway into 3rd at 8th, left clear 2nd 11th, kept on same pace, no threat to winner, lost 2nd before last, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Warthog (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
