led, pressed for lead and ridden before 4 out, narrow lead 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, headed before last, stayed on gamely run-in, led close home, always holding on near finish
midfield, ridden before 4 out where dropped to last, no impression 3 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, some headway before 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace 3 out, outpaced by leaders 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leader, not fluent 5th, pressed leader before 4 out, disputed lead 2 out, led outright before last, kept on run-in, headed close home, no extra near finish
Gabriel‘s Getaway is 3-4 over fences but hasn’t run since losing his unbeaten record at Bangor in May. Feel The Pinch’s defeat at Bangor at the start of the month came over hurdles but he’s 6lb higher than when scoring over course and distance last month. Twice successful in October, SACRE COEUR has been out of his depth in subsequent starts and Tristan Durrell’s claim could help him get back on track even though the penny has finally dropped with Dr T J Eckleburg.
Sacre Coeur (FR) 15-2 (11-2) Jumped right at times, led and soon 15 lengths clear, reduced lead 4 out, ridden and joined 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Zambella (11-6) at Aintree 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Feel The Pinch 11-8fav (12-2) Tracked leaders out wide, went 2nd approaching 4 out, lost 2nd and weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 35 1/4l behind Chti Balko (12-1) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Gabriel's Getaway (IRE) 6-5fav (12-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, led after 3 out, headed before last, weakened quickly, 4th of 5, 20 1/4l behind Heartbreak Kid (11-11) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Dr T J Eckleburg (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, pushed along 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Keep Running (11-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
