held up towards rear, headway 10th, dropped rear after 13th, no danger after
held up in rear, pulled hard, headway 9th, no impression approaching 2 out, 4th and beaten when blundered badly and unseated rider last
held up towards rear, headway 10th, 3rd and jumped right from 3 out, no impression when mistake last
led to 3rd, pressed leader, led 10th to 12th, gaining control last, stayed on well
mid-division, dropped rear after 7th, behind when pulled up before 10th
jumped with little confidence, always in rear
pressed leader, led 3rd to 10th, led 12th, headed after 13th, weakened 3 out
prominent until weakened approaching 2 out
in rear, headway on inside 11th, weakened after 13th, tailed off
chased leaders, challenged 3 out, no impression flat
mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 5th
mid-division, mistake 6th, headway approaching 13th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, blundered badly 10th and nearly fell, rallied 3 out, weakened 2 out
STONERIGGS MERC gets the tentative vote in this tricky finale with both Elsie¿s Pride and Constantius worth noting in the betting market. The selection is nothing but consistent and had been in great form during the autumn months winning a race at Ludlow in the process. He returns from his Christmas break a well handicapped horse and with a clear round of jumping he is sure to be in the shake once again. Elsie¿s Pride comes form the powerful Venetia Williams yard that is sending out a steady flow of winners at present. Although he has yet to hit his best form this season he has dropped to what looks like a decent mark and for that reason deserves respect. Constantius has a nice racing weight to carry and had been showing a fair level of form on a sound service before his mid winter break. His only doubt will be the testing conditions which he is not proven on and has to be treated with caution. Stoneriggs Merc is a genuine sort who is sure to be in contention come the business end of the race.
Sandymac (IRE) 200-1 (11-3) Always behind, 10th of 13, dis behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Prophete de Guye (FR) 20-1 (10-6) Keen, in rear, headway from 10th, ridden and went 3rd 4 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 33l behind Bubble Boy (11-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Grand Bay (USA) 3-1fav (11-10) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden and effort on inside between last 2, one pace approaching last, 4th of 18, 14l behind King Stanley (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Plum Pudding (FR) 11-4 (10-3) Held up, mistake 10th, ridden 13th, driven 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 5, 16l behind Ballyfoy (11-11) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Guitar Rory (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear, in rear when blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 8th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 9th, in a race won by Ultimate Limit (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led after 10th, clear when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Noble Bily (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft, 6 ran.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Tracked leader, lost place approaching 2 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure to chase winner approaching last, no extra and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Freedom Flying (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Elsie's Pride (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up behind, pushed along 11th, weakened from 12th, 5th of 8, 16l behind Ayemdee (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
King Raven (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, led 6th, blundered 11th and 12th, headed approaching 2 out, held in 3rd when fell heavily last, in a race won by Senor Shane (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Early Wings (GER) 7-2fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 8th, 5th of 10, 20l behind Orana Conti (11-3) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Coast Of Malabar (IRE) 9-2fav (11-0) Chased leaders, blundered 2nd, soon lost place, blundered 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Hello My Lovely (11-2) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Constantius 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 8th to 10th, chased winner until approaching 2 out, weakened and hit last, 4th of 7, 19l behind Magnetic Pole (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f stks (5) gf in Nov.
Ukrainian Star (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Held up mid-division, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 15l behind Hello My Lovely (11-2) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec.
Thedreamstillalive (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, chasing leaders when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 30l behind Celian (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
