held up in rear, mistake 9th (water), mistake 12th, lost touch next, no danger after, tailed off
in touch on outside, hit 12th, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied last, kept on same pace flat
in touch on inside, headway 5 out, challenged going well 3 out, soon led, ridden and kept on flat
tracked leaders, lost place 5 out, soon outpaced, ridden 3 out, rallied to go 2nd last, kept on flat, always held
led to 4th, tracked leader, lost place after 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, headway to lead 4th, headed after 3 out, soon weakend, tailed off
tracked leaders, dropped towards rear 8th, headway under pressure 3 out, 6th 2 out, rallied to chase leading pair flat, no impression
raced keenly, held up in touch, headway on outside 12th, challenged 4 out, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
held up behind in touch, outpaced after 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders outpaced after 5 out, soon lost place, ridden 2 out, rallied sfter last, never troubled leaders
De Bansha Man has had a short break since a below-par run at Exeter in October and could figure on his favoured ground. Digger Gets Lucky wasn't disgraced over a longer trip at Plumpton last month, while Three Chords is eased slightly in grade after his fifth at Newbury. Papa Caruso could be interesting now upped in distance but the longer trip may also suit PERSIAN GATES, who is 5lb higher than when scoring at Market Rasen on his latest start but still conceivably on the right side of the handicapper - he gets the vote.
Mister Watzisname (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Raced in rear, slow 12th, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, well behind Fit To Drive (11-9) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Papa Caruso 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, reminders approaching 5th, and again after 8th, weakened 12th, a poor 4th when hit 2 out, 5th of 7, 22l behind Kellystown Lad (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Three Chords (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, chased leaders on outside after 5 out, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 5th of 16, 17l behind Major Malarkey (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Dec.
Tafika 25-1 (10-6) Held up in rear and mistakes, switched to inside approaching 4th, reminders and tailed off after 7th, pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Regal Approach (10-11) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
De Bansha Man (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Close up on outer, pushed along approaching 9th, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out, no impression from next, 5th of 12, 11l behind I'm A Legend (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Simply Strong (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Double Pride (11-4) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Digger Gets Lucky (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Raced in rear, mistake 9th, headway to chase leaders 13th, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 9l behind Rey Nacarado (11-6) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Persian Gates (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4th, headed before 8th, remained in touch, led again before 3 out, ridden and hard pressed when blundered next, hit last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov beating Stolen Light (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Katalak (IRE) 28-1 (11-10) In touch, lost place after 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Aztec Treasure (11-9) at Towcester 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Witch's Hat (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear and keen, headway 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 10l behind Prince Tom (11-7) at Taunton 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
