tracked leaders, hit 2nd, lost place 13th, headway 4 out, hit 3 out, no impression from next
led until 11th, led 13th, headed 4 out, bumped after 3 out, not fluent next, no extra last
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway approaching 12th, every chance from 4 out until last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden after 13th, hard driven in 3rd 2 out, went 2nd after last, ran on under pressure to lead last stride
pressed leader, led 11th, headed 13th, led 4 out, bumped after 3 out, headed last stride
held up towards rear, still plenty in front but only 4 lenghts off lead when hit 4 out, closed 2 out, switched left before last, kept on same pace flat
in rear, not fluent 3rd, taken wide after 9th, blundered badly 11th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 4 out
held up in mid-division on outside, headway 10th, no impression 3 out
held up, not fluent 4th, headway when not fluent 4 out, no impression from 2 out
prominent, lost place and ridden 12th, behind after next, tailed off
Bible Lord was well backed at Kempton last month but never looked likely to justify that market support and trailed in well beaten. He's been dropped a further couple of pounds since but is probably best watched until showing signs of a return to form. Peplum caused an upset at Newbury last time but has been put up 9lb for his trouble and more interesting is the potentially well-treated SHADOW DANCER. This is his first attempt at a longer trip since chasing home Dastardly Dick at Uttoxeter in the autumn and Jonjo O'Neill's novice has a much higher rating over hurdles. Flemish Invader and Restezen D'Armor could also play a part from near the foot of the handicap and Max Bygraves should do better now his attention is switched back to the larger obstacles.
Qrackers (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Bugsy's Boy (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
The Snail 8-1 (11-7) Refused to race, in a race won by Polyfast (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Hector's Choice (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, ridden next, 4th and one pace when sprawled badly last, not recover, 11th of 16, well behind Nearby (11-4) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Oct.
Peplum (FR) 50-1 (11-11) In touch, headway 9th, soon chased leaders, challenged and upsides 2 out, led soon after, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan beating Flaming Gorge (11-12) by 8l, 10 ran.
Bible Lord (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Chased leaders on outside, hit 3rd, lost place 11th, 5th and outpaced when blundered next, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Polyfast (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Max Bygraves 7-2 (11-8) Held up mid-division on inner, ridden after 3 out to chase leaders, weakened before last, 6th of 10, 29l behind Lackamon (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Shadow Dancer (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Mid-division, in rear 7th, some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 9, 45l behind Cadoudalas (11-5) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy in Jan.
Flemish Invader (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) In touch, driven and outpaced after 5 out, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Buffalo Bob (11-6) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Restezen D'armor (FR) 9-2 (10-6) Behind, headway into mid-division 8th, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, 12th of 15, well behind Only Vintage (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place and ridden 7th, hampered next, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 38l behind Grand Lahou (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Mud Monkey 5-1 (10-12) Led until not fluent 5th, led next until 7th, hampered 8th, lost place after 13th, soon weakened, went left last 2, 5th of 9, 36l behind Forget It (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
