led, pressed, headed and bumped 5th, chased winner until 8th, lost 3rd and weakened 4 out, tailed off
not always fluent, took keen hold, pressed leader, led approaching and went left 5th, went left again 8th, mistake 3 out, headed on long run to next, driven after 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead again flat
chased leaders in 4th, weakened 6th, losing touch when hit next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, blundered and pulled up 6th
in touch, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
raced wide, held up in last pair, slow 4th, headway 6th, went 3rd 4 out, outpaced when hit last, stayed on again flat, took 2nd final 100 yards
raced keenly, chased leading pair, hit 3rd, went 2nd 8th, led travelling well on long run to 2 out, headed and no extra flat, weakened to 3rd final 100 yards
Tarraco makes his debut for Venetia Williams but won a minor race at Auteuil in June for previous connections and must have some sort of chance as he's likely to be more ready than the returning Digger Gets Lucky and Goring Two. NOBLE LEGEND's winning run came to an end at Chepstow last month but he wasn't beaten far and is almost guaranteed to run his race again here with the heavy ground in his favour. The top weight is the one to beat as Preuty Boy has become disappointing and Nodebateaboutit was never travelling and pulled when favourite over 3m here on his reappearance, though probably needed that. Ringa Bay won five times between the flags and twice in hunter chases. His third to Take Over Sivola in a C&D handicap wasn't a bad effort last time and he should be thereabouts if reproducing that today.
Noble Legend 5-2fav (11-4) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again 5 out, mistake next, soon ridden, headed 2 out, 3rd and one pace approaching last, rallied to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Triptico (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Ringa Bay 11-1 (11-6) In touch, headway to lead 9th, headed 3 out, soon rallied, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Take Over Sivola (11-1) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Tarraco (FR) (10-7) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 5f chs gs in Jun beating Tirelarigot (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Nodebateaboutit 9-4fav (10-11) Tracked leader, led 4th, headed 4 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before next, in a race won by Well Refreshed (10-5) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Digger Gets Lucky (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, pecked 13th and lost place, ridden to challenge 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov '11 beating Picture In The Sky (11-3) by 2l, 7 ran.
Preuty Boy (FR) 11-2 (10-10) Disputed lead after 4th, lost place 5 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 27l behind Roll The Dice (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Goring Two (IRE) 4-6fav (11-3) Made all, clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan '12 beating Body Gold (11-4) by 15l, 3 ran.