held up, pushed along after 5th, headway to chase leaders 9th, outpaced from next
led to 5th, weakened quickly 4 out, pulled up after 3 out
held up in touch, ridden 7th, weakened next, pulled up after 4 out, tailed off
with leaders, led 5th to 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish
with leaders, weakened quickly after 8th, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off
held up, pushed along after 6th, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, keen, led 8th, ridden after 4 out, kept on under pressure from last
held up, effort 4 out, never dangerous
This is quite a competitive contest in which Madison Du Berlais, Big Bone and Moment of Madness look to be the leading lights and the vote is given to Big Bone. The selection likes to bowl along in front and he certainly lost no caste in defeat when last seen out when he finished second behind Royal Hector. He has his optimum ground conditions today and with Paddy Brennan on board should take plenty of beating. Madison Du Berlais rates the main danger as he was a fair third behind Tanikos at Warwick last time but this French import is best on a softer surface and for that reason we will take him on. Moment of Madness was a little disappointing at Kelso last time having run well on soft ground at Ayr previously. He could be capable of making the frame here and could represent the each-way value in the race. Mexican is better than he showed last time when a bad mistake saw him drop away tamely, and if he jumps better today then he could enter calculations. However, for the winner we will return to Big Bone.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden approaching 13th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 35l behind East Lawyer (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Big Bone (FR) 10-1 (10-10) Led and soon clear, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Royal Hector (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Downpour (USA) 50-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, weakened 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Dom d'Orgeval (11-3) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Log On Intersky (IRE) 100-1 (9-11) Always behind, struggling from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Almaydan (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Joey Tribbiani (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Always in rear, 6th of 11, 17l behind Palua (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Imaginaire (USA) 10-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 5 out, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Sound Of Cheers (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Argento 33-1 (10-11) In touch, headway and effort 3 out, one pace next, 5th of 16, 12l behind Culcabock (9-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Moment of Madness (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 20l behind Moor Spirit (11-8) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 9-2 (9-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Tanikos (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Mexican (USA) 4-1co-fav (10-5) Held up in rear, hit 4 out, effort approaching next, no impression, 5th of 7, 31l behind Oliverjohn (10-2) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.