with leader, not fluent 5th, led approaching 6th, headed 8th, slow 11th, soon lost place, rallied and headway after 2 out, every chance and edged right flat, just held, awarded race after a stewards inquiry
tracked leaders, joined leader 14th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed after last, no extra
held up in rear, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, mistake 13th, headway after 4 out, soon chasing leaders, led after last, edged left under pressure, just held on, placed 2nd after a stewards inquiry
tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon every chance, weakened flat
led until 6th, led again 8th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened after next
Portland Bill may be able to land a competitive novice chase in which none are ruled out although Sheriff Roscoe looks to have a bit to find. His yard, who have been enjoying a fine season, are more readily associated with chasers and it was no surprise to see this useful hurdler put in a fine round of jumping at Exeter last month. He beat the quirky Temoin that day and it remains to be seen what that form is worth but he's undoubtedly a horse with a future. Gidam Gidam landed a gamble at Bangor but this looks tougher, Rimsky finished a long way behind Marcus at Exeter in November but proved that running to be all wrong when beating Flying Falcon by 2 lengths at Towcester next time. Gidam Gidam and Flying Falcon would relish any further rain (which would be a concern for the selection) but Rimsky looks capable of confirming last month's form with the latter. Marcus is interesting following that promising introduction in November but Portland Bill is taken to land this informative heat.
Gidam Gidam (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, lead flat, pushed out, won at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec beating Vitray (11-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Portland Bill (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, led 3 out, driven out from last, won at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Dec beating Temoin (11-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Rimsky (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) In touch, headway 8th, mistake 12th, stayed on well from 2 out to lead after last, won at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) sft in Dec beating Flying Falcon (10-7) by 2l, 13 ran.
Sheriff Roscoe 9-2 (11-2) Headway to go prominent 3rd, led 5th, headed 11th, ridden to lead again 3 out, headed next, led again last, ran on, won at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec beating Down's Folly (11-2) by 5l, 10 ran.
Flying Falcon 3-1fav (10-7) In touch, led 9th, 3 lengths up 2 out, fading when headed after last, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Rimsky (10-11) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) sft in Dec.
Marcus 7-2 (10-12) Prominent, chased leaders 11th, led 12th, mistake 13th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Minella Tipperary (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
