held up, closed 5th, not fluent next, challenged 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, led flat, headed close home
prominent, lost place quickly before 4th, tailing off when fell 6th
handy on outside, led after 4 out, ridden and joined next, headed flat, rallied to lead again close home
prominent, mistake 3rd, ridden after 8th, 4th and weakening when mistake and unseated rider 4 out
behind, not fluent 1st, left 4th 4 out, left remote 3rd approaching 2 out
led, not fluent 6th, headed after 4 out, 3rd and weakening when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next
Nonrunner
BOLD BACHELOR has won between the flags in Ireland and joined a trainer who knows how to place his horses to the best effect so he's handed the vote in a poor contest. Expanding Universe gained his only success over fences at three miles so this looks too short while Very Live is another dropping massively in trip though he'll have come on for his chasing debut at Leicester. Mr Bachster made all for a very impressive victory over slightly further at Fontwell but is now 10lb higher and has failed to complete in two subsequent runs. Lamb's Cross was beaten a long way when runner-up here early this month and has as many letters as numbers in his form figures while Petit Ecuyer's best runs have been over much further. Four Shuck Men has run very poorly in two recent starts over fences following a long absence.
Bold Bachelor (IRE) 4-6 (12-1) Tr ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, 4th app str, ld 2out, joined last, hdd run-in, just failed, 2nd of 7, hd behind Aine's Double (11-5) at Mainstown 3m sft in Nov.
Expanding Universe (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leader until approaching 8th, chased leaders, 3rd and one pace from 2 out, went left last, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Derryogue (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Very Live (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd and ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair before 2 out, 3rd of 10, 31 1/2l behind Troika Steppes (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Lamb's Cross 14-1 (10-12) Chased winner until ridden along on long run to 3 out, remained in 3rd place, mistake 2 out, plugged on into modest 2nd again last strides, 2nd of 7, 25l behind Capilla (11-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Petit Ecuyer (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Behind, still last 4 out, headway under pressure after 4 out, chased clear pair before next, kept on same pace, never on terms, lost modest 3rd towards finish, 4th of 9, 18l behind Ballyegan (11-1) at Towcester 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Four Shuck Men (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, jumped left, prominent, not fluent 6th or 7th, weakened before 3 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Truckers Highway (11-0) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Mr Bachster (IRE) 17-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led 3rd, headed 7th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
