led, not fluent 11th and next, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and headed final 150 yards, not pace of winner
tracked leader, hit 7th, ridden and lost 2nd before 5 out, weakened before 4 out where left modest 3rd
took keen hold tracking leading pair, went 2nd approaching 5 out, travelling well when blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out
waited with in rear, steady headway on inside to track leading pair before left in 2nd 4 out, closed approaching 2 out, ridden and quickened to lead final 150 yards, soon clear
Nonrunner
Though he's been off the track for 503 days, fitness is unlikely to be an issue with WOODBANK. A decent novice hurdler two seasons ago, he makes his chasing debut off a potentially lenient mark and shouldn't be far away. Agent Archie was also useful over the smaller obstacles and could be similarly well treated. He gets 4lb from De Faoithesdream, who probably hasn't beaten much in a couple of victories so far at Newton Abbot. Evan Williams also runs Lava Lamp, who stays further, with Bucking The Trend also likely to need a long trip based on his hurdling career. Kilmacowen looks to have plenty to find at the weights on his comeback.
De Faoithesdream (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Jumped well, raced keenly, made all, came clear from 4 out, kept on well, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (4) gf in Sep beating Tiny Tenor (11-4) by 12l, 4 ran.
Agent Archie (USA) 5-1 (11-12) Led, headed before 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 6, 15l behind Mount Vesuvius (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Sep.
Woodbank 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, outpaced 3 out, weakened approaching last, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 19l behind One Term (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in May '12.
Lava Lamp (GER) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, under pressure when left 3rd at 9th, soon no chance with front pair, tailed off, 3rd of 5, 37l behind Red Riverman (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m 3f beg chs (4) gd in Aug.
Kilmacowen (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 7l behind Representingceltic (10-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Dec.
Bucking The Trend 100-1 (11-7) Held up, effort approaching 2 out, never on terms, weakened soon after, 8th of 13, 44l behind At Fishers Cross (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Mar.
