led until 3rd, led 6th, headed next, led again 9th, headed flat, stayed on, held close home
held up well in rear, headway approaching 12th, went 4th when not fluent 15th, ridden before 4 out, no impression, mistake last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, challenged last, soon every chance and bumped, stayed on close home
held up, jumped right at times, not fluent 7th or 11th (water), soon ridden, outpaced 15th, stayed on flat, no impression
held up in 5th when jumped slowly 2nd (water), never going well and jumping mistakes thereafter, rear from 3rd, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 11th, hit 13th, lost 2nd 4 out, challenged last, led flat, held on
held up in rear, jumped right and not fluent 9th, lost touch before 11th, bad mistake 14th, pulled up before 4 out
led 3rd, not fleunt next, headed 6th, led 7th until not fluent 9th, hit 10th, mistake 13th, blundered 14th, weakened next, tailed off
CARRICKMINES has been in good form over hurdles lately, getting up in the shadows of the post to score at Taunton 10 days ago. He hasn't raced over fences since unseating his rider at Aintree last April and needs a strong pace but still looks the one to beat here. Politeo hasn't really sparkled since joining Nick Williams but is dropped in grade here and makes more appeal than the novice Vincitore, who has been well beaten since completing a quick double at Worcester in the autumn. Flemish Invader makes his seasonal reappearance but is capable of running well fresh and it would be no surprise to see him in the firing-line under a competent amateur.
Politeo (FR) 13-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, dropped rear 8th, never dangerous after, 5th of 6, 14l behind Falcon Island (11-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Carrickmines (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, ridden after 9th, not fluent 3 out, headway 2 out, ran on flat to lead post, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs beating Pavillon Bleu (11-10) by ns, 10 ran.
Vincitore (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led briefly 11th, lost place before 4 out, no impression from next, 4th of 6, 28l behind Harry The Viking (11-3) at Doncaster 3m 2f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gs in Dec.
Fort View (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up in touch in 6th, headway 14th, outpaced after 16th, rallied from 3 out, went poor 4th after next, 4th of 8, 30l behind Rey Nacarado (11-2) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Flemish Invader (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, jumped right throughout, weakened 5 out, remote 4th, 4th of 8, 29l behind Calusa Caldera (11-3) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Gorge (AUS) 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division on outside, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 13, 29l behind Our Mick (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Chevy To The Levy (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 6th, hit 10th and 11th, headed 5 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Dot Or Feather (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f Am hcp ch 0-100 (5) sft.
Piran (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) With winner until after 14th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Kaybeew (11-7) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
