mid-division, headway 5th, chased clear leader approaching 3 out, no impression when eased flat
made all, clear 4th until 6th, drew clear again approaching 3 out, eased towards finish
mid-division, ridden and in touch, in 5th after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, chased winner briefly approaching 3 out, no impression and soon beaten, weakened approaching 2 out
chased winner, no impression when lost 2nd approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always in rear, ridden after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, raced keenly, headway after 5th, ridden after next, weakened well before 3 out, tailed off
in rear, ridden and moderate 6th approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, lost place when mistake 2nd, soon in rear, behind after
BEAUTIFUL VISION is favoured by the weights and is readily preferred to Calzaghe and Jordan's Light. Evan Williams leads a strong Welsh challenge here and the selection should appreciate the drop in grade today. His chasing form when seen three months ago is head and shoulders above his rivals' form and if he hurdles fluently then he should take some stopping. Jordan's Light is a course and distance winner and will be fit from recent runs on the flat at Kempton. Soft ground is no problem and it looks interesting that AP McCoy is booked for the ride. Calzaghe racked up a sequence earlier in the season with some nice placing from his trainer; he has talent but is a little quirky and has to give plenty of weight to the selection. Rustic Gold needs a market check on this UK debut, Tar ran a good race at Ffos Las last time out, whilst Heredias takes a drop in class but does look modest. The vote goes to Beautiful Vision.
Jordan's Light (USA) 10-3fav (10-10) Keen hold, held up in rear, ridden and no response 3 out, modest late progress, never a factor, 6th of 14, 15l behind Chaninbar (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Beautiful Vision (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway approaching 13th, mistake 3 out, beaten in 3rd before 2 out, 4th of 6, 8l behind Wychwoods Legend (10-9) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Ibbetson (USA) 10-1 (11-5) Held up, headway after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 6, well behind Lightening Fire (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cond sll hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Rustic Gold 10-1 (11-11) Chased leaders early, 10th halfway, weakened before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bangonform (11-11) at Sligo 2m 1f beg chs in Oct, 15 ran.
Tar (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Prominent, weakened 3 out, 4th of 13, 17l behind Dream Esteem (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Coben (IRE) 200-1 (10-13) Led, headed approachnig 4f out, soon weakened, last of 12, well behind Lifestyle (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m mrs N H flat (6) gs in Jan.
Fleetwood Flame 66-1 (8-3) Keen, tracked leaders, lost place from over 4f out, last of 12, 21l behind Patavium (8-6) at Catterick 1m 4f app hcp (6) sft in Jul (flat).
Heredias (GER) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, reminders after 5th, weakened 3 out, 12th of 20, well behind Shadrack (10-6) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Maverick's Magic 100-1 (10-5) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up last, in a race won by Diktalina (10-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (4yo) (4) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Calzaghe (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and beaten soon after, 7th of 11, 22l behind Spirit River (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
