made most to 13th, outpaced 4 out, weakened 2 out
with leader, led 13th, hard pressed 4 out, headed approaching last, switched left and ridden flat, kept on, held towards finish
held up in last pair in touch, struggling 14th, never on terms, pulled up after 4 out
held up in last pair in touch, headway 13th, ridden to chase leaders before 4 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, in touch on outside 13th, challenged 4 out, every chance last, ridden and one pace in 3rd flat
chased leaders, reminders from 9th, weakened before 4 out
tracked leaders, outpaced when mistake 14th, weakened after 5 out, behind when pulled up before next
in touch on inside, tracked leaders 5 out, challenged between horses 3 out, led approaching last, ridden and kept on flat
Forgotten Gold's jumping is becoming a problem but he has the ability to figure in this with a clear round. Roalco De Farges should have improved for a run at Sandown but Cootehill and Rouge Et Blanc usually find at least one too good and last year's winner Ballyoliver has been out of sorts so far this season, though is back in the right grade. FIREBIRD FLYER ran well behind Emperor's Choice over a longer trip at Ffos Las last time. He's a course and distance winner and, fairly handicapped at present, worth an interest in this with Brass Tax and Lamboro Lad returning from a break.
Brass Tax (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 10th, not fluent 12th, headed next, one pace 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Malt Master (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Jan '13.
Forgotten Gold (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, fell 7th, in a race won by Bennys Mist (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Cootehill (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders before 4 out, ridden and beaten before next, went moderate 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 42l behind Buywise (10-13) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Rouge Et Blanc (FR) 5-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, went 4th 2 out, ridden before last, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 15l behind Mr Moonshine (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy.
Roalco De Farges (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 15th, weakened approaching 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Relax (11-1) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) hvy, 10 ran.
Ballyoliver 13-2 (10-4) Held up behind, kept on from 4 out, weakened before last, 6th of 8, 24l behind Pineau De Re (10-11) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Jan.
Lamboro Lad (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, chased leaders 4 out (usual 5 out), ridden after next, weakened 2 out (usual 3 out), 8th of 13, 26l behind Standing Ovation (10-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway 11th, led before 2 out, headed before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Emperor's Choice (10-5) at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy.
