chased leaders, hit 5th, lost place and ridden 7th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, not fluent and lost place 4th, headway approaching 4 out, handy 4th when hit 3 out, stayed on flat
in touch on outside, not fluent 1st, niggled along approaching 3rd and several stages after, driven after 8th, weakened 3 out
held up, towards rear, in touch after 7th, ridden and struggling after next, weakened 4 out
chased leader until 4th, remained prominent, led 4 out until 2 out, soon ridden, edged right flat, stayed on well to lead post
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 4th, behind next, fell 6th
held up, in rear, headway 5th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 8th, headed 4 out, one pace from 2 out
in rear on outside, behind 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led until 8th, remained pressing, led 2 out, soon ridden, edged left flat, headed post
Nonrunner
It's hard to get away from PISTOLET DOVE who is taken to get the better of Moulin De La Croix and Laharna. The selection ran out an impressive winner over course and distance on his chase bow and looks more than capable of keeping the handicapper at bay. That form is only modest but so is this opposition and he should have the scope to keep them at bay. Moulin De La Croix has run game races the last twice and deserves to pick up a small prize but she clearly has little, if anything, in hand of the handicapper and may need a little luck. Laharna is another that has been hitting the woodwork but is capable of scoring if things drop into place. The headstrong Murphy could be interesting for his in-form yard if fences help him to race with more restraint whilst bits and pieces of Jardin De Vienne's form over hurdles make him look well handicapped on what is only his second chase start. There are also some capable sorts amongst the remainder but Pistolet Dove should have more in the locker.
Sole Agent (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Chased winner until before 2 out, rallied to regain well held 2nd on long run from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Pret A Thou (11-1) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Orana Conti (FR) 50-1 (11-8) In touch, weakened 7th, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Senor Shane (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Pistolet Dove (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Held up, raced keenly, pushed along briefly and lost place 5th, headway 7th, led 3 out, ridden clear from last, won at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec beating Circus Of Dreams (11-9) by 8l, 8 ran.
Shelomoh (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Prominent lost place approaching 8th, tracked leaders 11th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Pamak D'airy (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Moulin de La Croix 9-2 (10-4) Raced keenly, in touch, joined leader 7th, ridden 2 out, stayed on to press winner and every chance last, held flat, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Miss Pross (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Murphy (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Pulled hard, held up in touch, blundered 3rd, ridden and no response 3 out, struggling soon after, 7th of 10, 17l behind Aather (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Jardin De Vienne (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Disputed lead to 2nd, tracked leaders, challenged 5th, led briefly before 3 out, outpaced next, no impression approaching last, 6th of 8, 17l behind Akarshan (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Laharna 5-4fav (11-10) Held up in touch, pushed along in 2nd approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind She's Humble (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Grenoli (FR) 100-1 (10-5) Soon led, mistake and headed 2 out, soon weakened, last of 4, well behind Tazbar (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov stks (3) sft in Jan.
Devils River (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Led to 4th, led 5th until not fluent 8th, close 3rd when hit and stumbled 4 out, beaten after, 6th of 8, 46l behind The Thirsty Bricky (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp ch 0-95 (5) sft.
Machu Picchu (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 10th, mistake 4 out, not fluent 3 out and soon weakened, 6th of 8, 39l behind Mr Prickle (11-10) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
