chased leaders in 4th, struggling 12th, went moderate 3rd after 5 out, no chance with front pair, tailed off
tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 8th, 3 lengths down and outpaced when mistake 4 out, no impression in clear 2nd from next
pressed winner, lost place 8th, reminders after 11th, weakened and behind 5 out, tailed off
made all, driven clear approaching 4 out, stayed on well from next, eased towards finish, comfortably
held up in rear when pecked and unseated rider 1st
Nonrunner
Highway Code hasn't raced since winning at Newbury in November but the second, Massena, has franked the form since and Richard Lee's charge can't be left out of calculations. Benbens overcame a lengthy absence to run CLOUDY JOKER to head over course and distance in December and has every chance of turning the form around on 7lb better terms. But Donald McCain's six-year-old improved again to complete his hat-trick at Catterick and could land the four-timer. Zarzal and Avoca Promise have a bit to prove after recent failures.
Zarzal (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd 8th, 4th and held when fell 3 out, in a race won by Lord Of House (11-7) at Ludlow 2m (3) hvy in Jan, 5 ran.
Cloudy Joker (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, headway before 3 out, led run-in, kept on well, ridden out, won at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan beating Prince Of Dreams (11-12) by 6l, 6 ran.
Avoca Promise (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Raced wide, in touch in last trio, not fluent 3rd, jumped right and weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up soon after, in a race won by No Buts (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Benbens (IRE) 7-4fav (10-7) Held up in touch, outpaced in 6th after 5 out, left 5th when hampered next, rallied before last, ridden and stayed on strongly flat, every chance towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Cloudy Joker (10-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Midnight Choice 10-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 6l behind Sylvan Legend (10-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Highway Code (USA) 5-1 (11-9) Mid-division, went 3rd before 5 out, led 4 out, clear from 2 out, won at Newbury 2m 2f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gs in Nov beating Massena (10-2) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
