mid-division, not fluent 2nd, ridden and no impression before 3 out
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, no chance with winner, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, not fluent and well behind 4th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, well beaten before 3 out
led, headed before 3 out, soon beaten, weakened before next
held up in mid-division, well beaten before 3 out
held up in rear, headway 3 out, no chance with winner, pressed for places last, one pace
held up in mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 5th
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, no chance with winner before next, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, challenged 5th, led before 3 out, clear approaching next, very easily
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out until before next, no chance with winner, one pace
held up in mid-division, took keen hold, well beaten after 5th
BIDOUREY had already won a couple of bumpers prior to beating a previous winner when making a successful debut over hurdles at Fontwell. The form of that contest looks decent and David Pipe's four-year-old can extend his unbeaten record here. Polytrack winner Cathedral wasn't beaten far over course and distance on his jumping bow and is entitled to improve while War And Contrition is also probably capable of better. Newcomer Kassis is worth a second look but Hexham fifth Skaghardgannon Lad is already a nine-year-old and may have limited scope.
Fingers Crossed (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, slight peck 2nd, chased leader soon after, lost 2nd after 5th, chased leaders, weakened quickly before 2 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Caracci Apache (10-12) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Cathedral 33-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, no impression next, stayed on flat, 4th of 12, 6l behind Fingers Crossed (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Cleetons Turn 66-1 (11-0) In touch on outside, lost place and dropped to rear halfway, soon lost touch and pulled up, in a race won by Beau De Tabel (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in May '13, 9 ran.
Indian Jack (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracking winner until 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Jollyallan (11-8) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Mr Mafia (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off when blundered last, never a factor, 10th of 11, well behind Clean Sheet (11-0) at Newbury 2m hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Neworld (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 6th, 5th and outpaced after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 12, 30l behind Restraint of Trade (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Rock Des Champs (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leader until after 4th, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Arpege D'alene (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Skaghardgannon Lad (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, pushed along and weakened from 2 out, 5th of 9, 15l behind Aniknam (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
War And Contrition (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, struggling after 3 out, 7th of 11, 21l behind Tea For Two (10-11) at Towcester 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Dec.
Bidourey (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led from 4th, pressed before 2 out, kept on towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Norse Legend (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Kassis 12-1 (10-3) 5th of 16, 17l behind Catarale (10-10) at Cagnes-sur-Mer(FR) 2m 1f hdl sft in Dec '13.
My Stroppy Poppy 200-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 10th of 14, well behind Abigail Lynch (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Botanist 125-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, well behind Frederic (10-7) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
