held up in rear, hit 5th, headway into mid-division when hit 13th, no danger after
in rear when blundered 10th, always behind, tailed off
behind, ridden and struggling 12th
mistakes, always behind, tailed off 4 out
in touch, headway to track leader 4 out, chased winner 3 out, driven and chance last, found no extra final 100 yards
mid-division, mistake 10th, weakened before 4 out, well behind when jumped badly left last 2
chased leaders, hit 7th, led before 12th, driven and headed before 3 out, stayed on same pace after
jumped left, led to 6th, regained lead 7th to before 12th, tracked leader until blundered 4 out, weakened, jumped left last 2
Nonrunner
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the main protagonists look to be Duncliffe,Harry's Dream and Dunbrody Millar and the tentative nomination is given to Harry's Dream. The selection was a fair fifth in a better race behind Harris Bay last time out, this looks easier and off the same mark he looks a value bet in an open affair. Duncliffe rates the main danger on his latest third behind Labelthou in a grade 2 hurdle, he returns to chasing on a handy mark and should be closely watched in the market. Dunbrody Miller will make a bold bid to make all the running but his stable are going through a quiet spell and he looks opposable on that basis. King Barry has conditions to suit and could go well at a price but he looks weighted up to his best while Presenting Express would be a danger to all if his jumping holds up but that is a big if and with this in mind for the winner we return to Harry's Dream to small stakes.
Presenting Express (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Prominent, led 5th to 4 out, weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by State of Play (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Duncliffe 14-1 (11-7) Chased winner to 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 5, 43l behind Labelthou (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft.
Harry's Dream 3-1 (11-10) Held up and mistakes, headway 14th, chased winner and mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 35l behind Harris Bay (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Fool On The Hill 13-2 (11-12) Held up, lost touch with leaders after 11th, no impression, 4th of 8, 19l behind Longshanks (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
Alderburn 4-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden and lost touch 15th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Parsons Legacy (10-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Le Seychellois (FR) 3-1 (11-9) Held up, some headway under pressure approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 18l behind Herecomestanley (10-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Yardbird (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) In touch, hit 12th, soon ridden, mistake 14th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Harry's Dream (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
King Barry (FR) 11-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 14th, weakening when mistake 4 out, 7th of 11, 43l behind Harris Bay (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Iznogoud (FR) 33-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, ridden after 16th, gradually faded, 5th of 18, 22l behind Billyvoddan (10-12) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs.
Dunbrody Millar (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) With leaders, mistakes, led 3rd to 8th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 21, 9l behind Eurotrek (11-7) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov.
Heros Collonges (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, mistake 2nd, ridden 18th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up in race won by Tanterari (10-1) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Oct, 9 ran.
