soon towards rear, struggling after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in rear, weakened before 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 10th
tracked leaders, pushed along after 9th, soon lost place, reminders before 10th, kept on from 4 out, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
prominent, chased winner and mistake 10th, ridden before 4 out, no impression, lost 2nd towards finish
made all, clear from 2 out, eased last 100 yards
held up mid-division, weakened from 5 out
tracked winner until 10th, weakened from 3 out, jumped left 2 out, refused last
towards rear, weakened before 12th, went poor 4th before last
towards rear on outer, weakened from 12th, pulled up before 4 out
Nonrunner
Nothing stands out with the waters further muddied by the failure of Bay Central to complete the last twice. Therefore, CIVIL SERVANT is the tentative advice as he arrives with just two chasing efforts to his name, most recently when a decent third to Master Wiseman at Uttoxeter after an absence of over a year. He could be the one possible improver on show and hopefully will not fall foul of the dreaded bounce factor. Qualitee hacked up at Uttoxeter on only a second chasing effort and must be included in calculations despite not being certain to repeat that level. Sablazo is more experienced over fences than the aforementioned pair and should go well despite a seemingly punitive 10lb hike for a comfortable Fontwell success last month. Make a market note of Quincy Des Pictons too.
Cool Strike (UAE) 14-1 (10-13) Led, headed 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Fontano (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Bay Central (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Raced keenly, led until steadied and headed before 3rd, blundered 5th, about 6 lengths down when fell 3 out, in a race won by Alpha Way (10-7) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Civil Servant 3-1fav (10-7) Held up in rear, headway 9th, ridden after 11th, not fluent 4 out, outpaced next, stayed on flat, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Mister Wiseman (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Tastevin (FR) 33-1 (9-7) Prominent in chasing group, pushed along before ommited 4 out, still in behind leaders when blundered 3 out, soon no extra, 5th of 15, 12l behind Bless The Wings (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Qualitee 7-2 (10-12) With leader, led 2nd, pecked 8th, clear 3 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov beating Phoenix Des Mottes (9-13) by 17l, 7 ran.
Rye Rocket 200-1 (11-0) Jumped right 1st, held up in touch, weakened before 5th, remote 4th, 4th of 5, well behind Peddlers Cross (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Sablazo (FR) 7-2fav (10-3) Tracked leader, led narrowly after 7th, clear when reached for 3 out, in no danger after, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Nov beating Tecktal (10-1) by 10l, 7 ran.
No Reception (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, hit 4th, lost place after 11th, jumped left and weakened 14th, pulled up before 15th, in a race won by Just The Job (11-6) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Finnegans Rainbow 66-1 (10-9) Held up, losing touch 8th, closed before 10th, ridden next, behind from 12th, left remote 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Owen Glendower (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Quincy Des Pictons (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off 10th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Lexicon Lad (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
