chased leaders, headway to lead after 5 out, driven clear after 2nd last, strongly challenged closing stages, held on well under pressure
chased leaders, took closer order approaching 10th, weakened 4 out
with leader, led 3rd, headed after next, lost palce approaching 8th, rallied 2 out, stayed on after last
mid-division, hit 3rd, soon lost place, hit next, never dangerous
in touch, headway to join leader 10th, lost place before 5 out, rallied 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on well closing stages
mid-division but in touch, mistake 6th, chased leaders 5 out, hampered next, not fluent 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, driven and headway approaching 4 out, mistake 2 out, never a threat
led until 3rd, led again after next, headed after 5 out, weakening when jumped badly right next
held up in touch, lost place 7th, soon towards rear, blundered 12th, never a factor
DOUBLE SHUFFLE is the youngest in the line-up and has a big weight for his handicap debut but his two recent runs at Cheltenham suggest he's ready for this and he can concede weight all round. Skylander made a successful start over fences at Hexham in October and though he's struggled from his new mark David Noonan's claim can see him competitive. Fourth Act ploughed through the Carlisle mud to gain an emphatic victory last month and was still in touch when falling at Newbury so Colin Tizzard's charge looks a danger to all but How About It, an easy winner at Exeter in October, made too many mistakes when well beaten at Aintree last month.
Double Shuffle (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, headway to lead 10th (water), headed 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened into 4th flat, 4th of 7, 11l behind More Of That (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Nov.
Wadswick Court (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up, pushed along when fell 6th, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Skylander (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Held up, blundered 2nd, headway 17th, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression on winner, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Tinker Time (11-5) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Portway Flyer (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, keeping on same pace when hampered and bumped last, 3rd of 6, 18 1/2l behind Knock House (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f (3) gd in Oct.
How About It (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked winner until not fluent 7th, last when mistake and pushed along 13th, mistake and well beaten from 15th, 5th of 6, dist behind Bally Beaufort (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
Fourth Act (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Mid-division, closed after 12th, tracking leaders when fell 5 out, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
For Two (FR) 11-1 (10-11) Held up, no headway when not fluent 3 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Arzal (11-7) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Canicallyouback 10-3 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 4 out, one pace in 3rd when refused last, at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Huff And Puff 12-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, no headway, weakened before next, 7th of 10, 16 1/2l behind No Planning (11-8) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) sft in May.