held up off the pace in 7th, lost place before 6th, never on terms after
mistakes in rear, never a factor, tailed off when blundered 9th, pulled up before 4 out
last pair, headway approaching 9th, one pace from 4 out
held up off the pace in 6th, headway chasing leaders after 9th, 4th and one pace from 2 out
led, clear 6th until approaching 8th, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 4 out
took keen hold chasing leading pair, went 2nd 6th, led 4 out, in command from 2 out, stayed on well
chased leader until 6th, chased leading pair, pushed along before 4 out, 2nd again 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no chance with winner
chased leaders, hit 8th, 3rd 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
Snowell, three times a winner over hurdles, was still in touch and going well enough when falling four out in the race won by MIDNIGHT CHORISTER at Fakenham. Whether he would have been good enough to beat the winner is debateable as Alex Hales' charge, who was making his debut over fences, appeared to score with something in hand and he can complete a double. Forcing tactics were used on Topthorn at Huntingdon and he showed just how much he appreciated them with a convincing victory. A 7lb rise is cancelled out by his rider's claim so another big effort is anticipated. Take The Crown was impeded at a crucial stage at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and is better judged on his impressive victory at Bangor earlier. Until Winning has been fading over 2m4f despite the fact he'd previously run well over the trip.
Sublime Talent (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in last pair, soon well off the pace, hit 4th, not fluent 6th, went 4th from 10th, about 12 lengths down when hit 4 out, never on terms, 4th of 6, 13l behind Redpender (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Bushwacker (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, well behind Mibleu (10-4) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Aug '11.
Midnight Chorister 10-1 (11-5) In touch in rear, went 3rd 8th, left 2nd next, led soon after 2 out, clear when hung left and mistake last, stayed on, won at Fakenham 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec beating Six One Away (10-8) by 17l, 5 ran.
Snowell (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Close up, headway 7th, chased leader next, 2 lengths down when fell 4 out, in a race won by Midnight Chorister (11-5) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
Topthorn 9-2 (11-0) Prominent, led 3 out, soon 4 lengths clear, ridden and ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec beating Missionaire (10-11) by 10l, 5 ran.
Uranium (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Held up, hit 3rd, headway travelling well when left in 2nd and slightly hampered 3 out, ridden and no impression when dropped to 3rd between last two, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Kerryhead Storm (10-10) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Until Winning (FR) 10-3fav (10-6) Held up in touch, not fluent 8th, smooth headway on outside approaching 11th, disputing 2nd when hit 14th, ridden and weakened before 2 out, tired when went badly right last, 6th of 8, 27l behind Fairy Rath (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Kerryhead Storm (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Went left and bumped 1st, chased leader, led 4 out, ridden clear before last, kept on well run-in, won at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Money For Nothing (11-5) by 2l, 6 ran.
Take The Crown 7-2 (10-4) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, led approaching 3 out, headed next, soon outpaced, rallied closing stages, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Chestnut Ben (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
