mid-division, tracked leaders 5 out, effort 3 out, left 2nd briefly when sprawled on landing 2 out, soon ridden, no impression with front pair from last
tracked leaders, driven after 5 out, one pace when blundered next, soon weakened
tended to jump left, held up behind on outside, headway after 11th, challenged 4 out, upsides when left in lead 2 out, ridden before last, kept on under pressure flat
mid-division, reminder after 7th, struggling before 12th, behind when rider lost irons 14th, pulled up before next
chased leaders, ridden after 5 out, behind from next, beaten when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
led, mistake 14th, ridden and headed when rider dropped whip before 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression when left 4th 2 out
tracked leader, challenged 4 out, led before next, joined when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
behind, reminders after 14th, headway under pressure 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, soon chased winner, ridden and kept on flat, always held
non runner
ANOTHER HERO was quite impressive in landing a small-field handicap chase at Ascot in November after a 20-month absence and presumably is not the easiest to train. However, he does boast an impressive career strike rate, remains on a workable mark and looks primed for a competitive run with Richard Johnson booked. The consistent Still Believing could be of note off bottomweight and has place claims at least, whereas Souriyan, How About It and Belmount all have ability but also have a letter rather than a number to their name last time to overcome. The dark one is Carningli as Rebecca Curtis puts her charge straight into handicap company for this chasing debut with Aidan Coleman an interesting booking.
Royale Django (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, challenged after 9th, every chance until last, no extra flat, 6th of 8, 9 3/4l behind On The Bridge (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Carningli (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, hung left and lost place before 4 out, 14th of 17, dist behind Court Minstrel (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Another Hero (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Held up in touch, went left 4th, mistake 10th, headway into 3rd after 15th, 2nd next, challenging when carried left 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Delgany Demon (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Souriyan (FR) 7-2 (10-8) Held up, fell 3rd, at Wincanton 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec.
Belmount (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 10th, mistake 13th, driven before 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Uhlan Bute (FR) 6-4fav (11-7) Led until 1st, tracked leaders, pushed along before 8th, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten 4th before next, 4th of 6, 18 1/4l behind Chicoria (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Ivy Gate (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, lost place when not fluent 7th, mistake next, closed 12th, lost place before 3 out, no impression after, 6th of 9, 24 3/4l behind Bishops Road (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Still Believing (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Held up in last pair, headway 17th, went 2nd and jumped right 3 out, led after next, held on, won at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Take The Mick (11-12) by nk, 5 ran.
How About It (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Prominent, lost place after 2nd, soon in rear, behind 11th, pulled up 4 out, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
