tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, kept on after 2 out, rallied after final fence
held up at rear, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, travelled strongly and came to lead at 4 out, jumped final fence well, won easily
prominent and headed before 4 out, kept on after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened after final fence
held up, made headway before 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, kept on after 2 out, rallied after final fence
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced before 4 out, weakened
tracked leaders, dropped to rear and ridden after 10th fence, pulled up before 4 out
Four of these have won around here with Outonpatrol unbeaten in two starts. Alan King's charge was beaten a length by SWITCH HITTER in receipt of 5lb over the trip at Hereford and though 2lb better off the winner looks the one to beat. Forgot To Ask also beat Outonpatrol the same distance here in October when conceding 7lb and Tom George' charge is very closely matched with the selection, who has more scope. After a very easy Fakenham victory, Minella Encore never got into contention at Cheltenham while Reve disappointed when favourite at Catterick after scoring here a couple of weeks earlier. Subcontinent has won twice here and can't be dismissed with his low weight.
Switch Hitter (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Pressed leader, ridden before 3 out, upsides last, led flat, pushed out, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Outonpatrol (11-2) by 1l, 3 ran.
Forgot To Ask (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3 out, kept on to chase winner from 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Irish Prophecy (11-11) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Minella Encore (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 15th, towards rear and no chance after, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Outonpatrol (IRE) 15-8 (11-2) Led, ridden after 2 out, joined last, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 3, 1l behind Switch Hitter (11-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Bobo Mac (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Towards rear, in rear from 6th, 9th of 14, dist behind Snow Leopardess (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Reve 7-4fav (11-12) Prominent and came to lead at 9th fence, ridden and outpaced just before 3 out, kept on before 2 out, weakened after final fence, 4th of 6, 13 3/4l behind Brian Boranha (11-5) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Subcontinent (IRE) 125-1 (11-2) Midfield, jumped right 5th, ridden after 3 out, fell heavily 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.