always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway after 10th, chased winner before 4 out, every chance 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on and no impression
led before 2nd, headed 5th, tracked winner, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway before 4 out, one pace from next
chased leaders, led 5th, made rest, ridden after last, kept on well
held up mid-division, towards rear from 5th, blundered 5 out when weakening
held up towards rear, headway before 12th, chased leaders before 5 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
led, headed before 2nd, tracked leaders, mistake 4th, rider lost iron, soon lost place, jumped left 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
held up mid-division, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Maraafeq got off the mark over fences over C&D in February and has conditions in his favour today, though was disappointing on his reappearance at Uttoxeter. Forty Five is struggling for form but Cootehill could reverse last month's C&D running with Bold Perk on 6lb better terms and makes more appeal than the one-paced Rockiteer. Gentleman Anshan and Mud Monkey return from a lay-off, while this may be a bit far for Tyup Pompey but Nudge And Nurdle can't be ignored. BACKFROMTHECONGO has been eased a little in the weights, however, and is now only a couple of pounds higher than when going close at Huntingdon in February - he gets a tentative vote.
Gentleman Anshan (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Held up in touch, took keen hold, tracked leader from 5th, hampered 12th, led before 3 out on bit, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Persian Gates (11-2) by 10l, 6 ran.
Cootehill (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Held up mid-division, blundered 8th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 6l behind Bold Perk (10-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Oct.
Bold Perk (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Lord Ryeford (10-10) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct, 8 ran.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 11-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 15th until next, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 29l behind Iheardu (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Rockiteer (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, under pressure 10th, soon lost place, rallied 3 out, stayed on to go moderate 3rd approaching last, never able to challenge, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Knight Legend (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
Maraafeq (USA) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, ridden after 7th, behind 9th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Mister Wiseman (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Forty Five (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Always behind, 8th of 12, 41l behind Wyck Hill (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up, outpaced 4 out, well beaten 3 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Piment D'estruval (11-4) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Aug.
Backfromthecongo (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake, hampered and left 2nd 10th until next, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Morning Moment (11-5) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Mud Monkey 9-4 (10-9) Led, not fluent 1st, mistake 2nd, ridden and pressed 2 out, soon headed, kept on and always held, 2nd of 3, 3l behind Midnight Appeal (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
