with leader, not fluent 4 out, led 3 out, clear last, easily
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, outpaced next, well beaten before 3 out
led, ridden hung right and headed before 3 out, no impression last
tracked leaders, jumped left 3rd, not fluent next, struggling 7th, behind next, pulled up before 4 out
Chestnut Ben won a lower grade contest over track and trip on Boxing Day but has been raised 7lb for that success. He should still be in the mix but BIG WATER also scored on his latest start at Carlisle and has now won two of his last three starts over fences. A P McCoy gets the leg up for this and further improvement is expected so he gets the nod. Anay Turge and Lucky Landing remain out of form despite slipping down the weights while Roxyfet has his first outing for a new trainer having won three times over fences in France.
Big Water (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th, every chance from 2 out, ridden and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 5f nov hcap ch (3) hvy in Dec beating Midnight Belle (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In touch, mistake 5th, ridden to challenge 3 out, led next, ran on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec beating Ballybogey (11-7) by 6l, 7 ran.
Lucky Landing (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) Held up in touch, pushed along 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 39l behind Just Cameron (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Roxyfet (FR) (10-12) 3rd of 12, 10l behind Princesdulimesles (9-8) at Maure De Bretagne(FR) 2m 3f 4yo chs gs in Nov.
Anay Turge (FR) 20-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, weakened before 5 out, pulled up after, in a race won by Quincy Des Pictons (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.