held up mid-division on inner, pushed along before 4 out, chased winner before 4 out, weakened from 3 out
with leader, led before 15th, clear before last, kept on well
held up towards rear, blundered 7th, detached 9th, reminders before 12th, tailed off, pulled up before 17th
close up and keen, led 5th, hit 10th, headed approaching 15th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before last
led to 5th, mistake 15th, went 2nd 3 out, one pace and no impression
held up towards rear, headway 12th, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
in rear, weakened before 15th, tailed off and soon pulled up
held up towards rear on outer, struggling before 8th, detached 9th, pulled up before 14th
close up, hit 9th, soon lost place, pushed along 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 17th
The standout contest on the card and all have a chance of sorts. However, Pigeon Island does seem to have something of a mind of his own these days and the other two at the head of the weights have notable absences to overcome. Inside Dealer has strong claims on the form of his latest effort behind Qianshan Leader but may be found out by this trip whilst the consistent and likeable Rockiteer is up to a career-high mark. Oscar Prairie and Rossbrin are well treated but both need to improve on efforts to date which leaves the progressive Roseneath and SIMPLY WINGS. The latter has only had one run over fences but shaped so well in a good novice chase at Exeter. He jumped fluently, looks on a good mark and his yard is in form.
Pigeon Island 10-1 (11-6) Towards rear, pushed along 13th, some headway approaching 3 out, no impression, stayed on flat, never nearer, 4th of 13, 26l behind Swing Bill (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Nov.
Midnight Haze 4-1 (10-10) Led until before 2nd, led 6th until 10th, not fluent and ridden 15th, hit 17th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Nicto De Beauchene (10-7) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Cast Cada (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Led, reminders after 9th, driven along after 4 out, narrowly headed when left well clear 3 out, in command when jumped slowly last, driven out, won at Southwell 3m beg chase (4) gd in May '10 beating Zemsky (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Rockiteer (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, led 5th, made rest, ridden after last, kept on well, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Nov beating Cootehill (11-11) by 8l, 9 ran.
Inside Dealer (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Close up, hit 2nd, hit 6 out, led 4 out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Qianshan Leader (10-13) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Simply Wings (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in last trio, steady headway 8th (water), went 3rd 13th, went 2nd before 4 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Old Wigmore (11-0) at Exeter 3m Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gs in Nov.
Roseneath (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Held up in touch in rear, went 2nd 4 out, led after 2 out, clear flat, comfortably, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating North Island (11-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Oscar Prairie (IRE) 5-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, under pressure 10th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Chapolimoss (10-9) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Rossbrin (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led 1st, remained prominent, led again 8th, challenged 2 out, headed after last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 9, nk behind No Principles (11-8) at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
