held up, not fluent 10th, headway 4 out, one pace from 2 out
held up, headway 8th, hit 10th, pushed along 4 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed last, stayed on under strong pressure to regain lead towards finish
led to 3rd, led 4th to 8th, led 9th to 11th, led 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last
always promient, challenged from 3 out, led last, headed towards finish
took keen hold in rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 3rd, not fluent 6th (water), headway 3 out, no further progress, mistake 2 out
always promient, led 8th, headed 9th, led again 11th, headed 3 out, one pace last
in touch on outside, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, hit 4th, hit 10th, behind when pulled up before next
chased leader, led 3rd to 4th, not fluent 6th (water), reminders next, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
MATCHO PIERJI can find life somewhat easier here though Thedreamstillalive and Kikos will provide a fair test in the finale. Jonjo O'Neill's charge will be shorter odds than his form entitles because of the presence of the champion jockey but in fairness, some of his better lines of form give him a very fair chance and if he consents to cooperate rather than fight with the jockey, he is off a light enough weight to do himself justice. Thedreamisstillalive probably is better over slightly further though he has shown ability over similar trips in the past. Kikos hasn't really achieved too much since leaving Alan King's yard but he ran well for a long way at Newbury and has to be given some respect. Gus is something of an unknown quantity on this surface. He has been tried under inexperienced pilots in the past so the switch to Noel Fehily may make a difference. Nelson and Major Euro are regular rivals but both need to brush up upon their recent form to be taking a hand at this level. A trappy finale and Matcho Pierji is given one last drink in the last chance saloon.
I'm A Legend 13-2 (11-5) Held up, pecked 3rd, went 3rd 4th until weakened after 2 out, 4th of 5, well behind Fix The Rib (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Matcho Pierji (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along 13th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Coe (11-9) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Thedreamstillalive (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Hit 1st, led, ridden and headed 3 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Pop Ahead (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Tarabaloo 20-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on under pressure from last, no impression with 1st, 3rd of 9, 6l behind The Randy Bishop (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Kikos (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 8, 25l behind Rathmulen (10-12) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Nelson (FR) 11-1 (11-0) With leader, led 2nd, headed approaching 6th, chased winner after, beaten 2 out, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Ballyboley (11-2) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Major Euro (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) In touch, weakened after 12th, 5th of 7, 48l behind Ballyboley (11-2) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Gus 10-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, chased winner before 3 out, blundered last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Mattaking (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Kercabellec (FR) 28-1 (10-13) Chased leader, took closer order 6th, led 9th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 12l behind Prophete de Guye (11-5) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
