raced keenly, led or disputed lead and clear to 6th, lost place after 3 out, weakened next
raced keenly, led or disputed lead and clear to 6th, went on after 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased clear pair, close up when mistake 6th, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division on outside, switched inside and headway after 3 out, led next, soon ridden, kept until headed and no extra final 75 yards
in touch main group, close up 6th, lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, behind when hit next, tailed off
mid-division on inside, lost place 3 out, weakened next
chased clear pair, close up 6th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in last pair, hit 4th, 10th and ridden after 3 out, still plenty to do next, headway into 4th when hit last, stayed on strongly flat to lead final 75 yards
mid-division, lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off 2 out
in touch main group, close up 6th, hit 3 out, ridden and effort on outside before next, soon beaten
held up in last pair, headway under pressure after 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th and no impression when pulled up quickly before last
Nonrunner
Fiendish Flame is seeking a confidence-booster having looked ill at ease over fences lately but he has his fair share of weight here, as does Conquisto who returns from a lay-off. Premier Dane hasn't won since 2008, but The Magic Bishop is chasing a hat-trick after scoring at Newcastle and over a longer trip here earlier in the month. Malcolm Jefferson's gelding warrants respect, despite a much higher mark, but there is probably more to come from BALLYBRIGGAN. He didn't take to the Fibresand when a beaten favourite in a bumper at Southwell in December but his form over hurdles has a solid look about it and John Quinn has his stable firing on all cylinders at present. Pegasus Prince has had the form of his Uttoxeter win franked and is another with decent claims.
Conquisto 10-1 (11-3) Tracked winner, ridden after 3 out, lost 2nd before next, weakened approaching last, 7th of 17, 33l behind Australia Day (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gd in Jul.
Fiendish Flame (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led, jumped right, headed after 4th, lost place 6th, pulled up after 8th, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs, 9 ran.
Ballybriggan (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 7f out, chased winner over 2f out until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind The Hollinwell (11-0) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Bedizen 16-1 (11-5) Held up, progress to chase winner 5th until after next, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 3rd flat, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Sonning Star (10-7) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Kauto Relko (FR) 28-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway on outside and hit 3 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 12, 30l behind Tocca Ferro (10-13) at Newbury 2m Listed hcap hdle (1) gs in Nov.
The Magic Bishop 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway 6th, chased leading trio after 3 out, led just before 2 out, soon drew well clear, stayed on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd beating Silver Roque (11-9) by 8l, 11 ran.
Celticello (IRE) 25-1 (9-12) Behind, some headway on inside before 3 out, no impression next, 8th of 16, 20l behind Art Professor (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Laredo Sound (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up behind, headway into mid-division on outside after 4 out, outpaced next, ridden and weakened 2 out, 7th of 12, 39l behind Via Galilei (10-1) at Newbury 2m con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Pegasus Prince (USA) 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, led flat, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan beating Blenheim Brook (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Ruff Diamond (USA) 20-1 (10-2) Held up in rear when fell 4th, in a race won by King Troy (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (2) gd in Sep '09, 5 ran.
Baccalaureate (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced 9th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, last of 13, well behind The Shy Man (10-11) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Puerto Azul (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, on inside, hampered by loose horse approaching 2 out, one pace and edged left when no chance with winner run-in, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Organisateur (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Premier Dane (IRE) 40-1 (10-1) Mid-division on inside, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up, in a race won by James De Vassy (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan, 19 ran.
