held up in rear, headway from 14th, 4th after 4 out, 3rd 2 out, challenged last, stayed on strongly to lead flat
mid-division, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 14th, chased leader approaching 4 out, led 3 out, strongly pressed soon after last, no extra and headed flat
led until slow jump 1st, prominent, reminders 11th, under pressure in 4th after 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
chased leaders, led 6th to next, chased leaders until weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, reminders after 6th, ridden and struggling 12th, plugged on one pace from 4 out
chased leaders, hit 12th, 2nd approaching 14th until next, no extra from 3 out, 3rd and well held when mistake last
behind, mistakes 2nd and 3rd and reminders, slow jump and dropped to rear 10th, headway 13th, driven in modest 5th after 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
led 1st until 6th, made most from next until ridden and headed 3 out, no extra next
held up last, some headway 14th, struggling next, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
Present M'lord is given the narrow vote to win this competitive handicap chase with both Ballyfoy and Temoin posing as the biggest dangers. The selection got his head in front at Exeter last month and was not disgraced after finishing a creditable fourth of twelve at Plumpton last time out off a seven pound higher mark. Although his is now running off a career high mark he is tough and consistent and is sure to give his supporters a good run for their money. Ballyfoy is now five pounds higher in the weights after winning on heavy ground over course and distance last month. He loves testing conditions and although he has top weight to hump around with ground in his favour once again he deserves respect. Temoin won at Sandown last time out and as a result he has six pounds more to carry. He is however well treated on his old form when trained by Nicky Henderson and for that reason he should be closely monitored in the betting market. Present M'lord is tough and consistent and with conditions in his favour he gains the narrow vote.
Ballyfoy (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, briefly outpaced 9th, headway to lead 11th, headed 13th, driven along 5 out, every chance from 3 out, stayed on to lead flat, driven out, won at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec beating Pipo De Re (10-7) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Stolen Moments (FR) 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 3rd, ridden before 6th, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Le Beau Bai (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Ma Yahab 15-2 (11-7) Held up, headway to chase leaders when hit 14th, chased winner after 3 out, tried to challenge 2 out, held before last, well clear of rest, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Can't Buy Time (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov '08.
Temoin 40-1 (11-12) Always prominent, slow 1st, led 3 out, soon hard driven, stayed on strongly (no time taken), won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Noakarad De Verzee (11-0) by 1l, 6 ran.
Cousin Nicky 9-4 (11-2) Made all, ran on well, won at Chepstow 3m clm chs (3) gd in Apr beating Natal (11-8) by 8l, 6 ran.
Present M'lord (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, blundered 10th, weakened from 4 out, 4th of 12, 16l behind Master Overseer (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Rimsky (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) In touch, blundered 21st, ridden and outpaced 26, hit next, weakened 3 out, 9th of 16, 18l behind Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Teeming Rain (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway 16th, in 5th and one pace when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Master Overseer (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 12 ran.
Radetsky March (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Prominent, mistake 2nd, led 4th, hit 15th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 12, 22l behind Master Overseer (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Alfadora 8-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, weakened 2 out, no time taken, 5th of 6, 8l behind Temoin (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
