chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off when blundered next, pulled up before next
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on from next
tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened run-in
prominent, with leaders 4 out, weakened next
always behind, not fluent, weakened 11th, pulled up after 5 out
led, headed 4 out, ridden approaching next, kept on to chase winner from last, no impression
prominent, weakened 4 out, tailed off
patiently ridden, smooth headway 13th, led approaching last, soon clear
Mon Mome, Iron Man and Exstoto are three against the field in another tough race to call for punters and the narrow vote is given to Exstoto. The selection was a fair third behind Darby Wall last time out, that form looks rock solid and off the same mark here he looks a value bet in an open affair. Mon Mome rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Run For Paddy but the drop in trip has to be of concern and he is taken on with this in mind. Iron Man won well last time when beating Classic Capers but he will find this tougher under his penalty. Of the remainder Nayodabayo is from a yard in form and could go well at a price so is worth a cautionary look in the market but for the winner we return to Exstoto.
Nayodabayo (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Prominent, left in lead 8th, headed after 4 out and weakened, 8th of 16, 26l behind Exotic Dancer (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Mon Mome (FR) 9-1 (10-2) Mid-division, lost place when blundered and unseated rider at the 17th in race won by Run For Paddy (10-2) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Iron Man (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4 out, hit next, clear approaching last, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Classic Capers (11-1) by 13l, 8 ran.
Strike Back (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up and not fluent, headway to track leaders approaching 5th, soon pushed along, mistake next, struggling from 7th, 5th of 6, 33l behind Launde (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Well Presented (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Held up when fell at the 5th in race won by Ever Present (10-10) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs, 8 ran.
Pass Me By 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 3 out, kept on well from next, won at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) sft in Apr beating Russian Sky (10-11) by 5l, 9 ran.
Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 4-1 (10-11) Mid-division, dropped rear 4th, struggling 10th, behind when fell at the 13th in race won by Naunton Brook (10-5) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Exstoto 4-1co-fav (10-6) Chased leader until approaching 15th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Darby Wall (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Kitski (FR) 2-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, challenged when hit 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.