tracked leading pair, ridden and outpaced 4 out, soon lost place and weakened, pulled up before next
held up in 4th, lost place 8th, soon outpaced, ridden to go 3rd after 4 out, kept on same pace, no chance with leading pair
led, headed narrowly after 4 out, 4 lengths down in 2nd last, ridden and rallied flat, led final 100 yards, stayed on
pressed winner to 9th, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden and beaten
behind, struggling from 7th, never near leaders
held up behind, headway into 4th 8th, went 2nd next, led narrowly after 4 out, drew 4 lengths clear before last, ridden and idled flat, headed final 100 yards, no extra
behind, reminders before 5th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 7th
Recent C&D winner O Crotaigh should go well again despite a 12lb rise as he ran out an easy winner, but a chance is taken on DALDINI returning to form. He's only 3lb higher than when second over track and trip to Mohayer, who has since gone in again, and if forgiven an off day at Catterick last time, Sue Smith's chaser looks to have solid claims. Tafika got no further than the first obstacle at Warwick last month but has a chance on his earlier form, while Be My Light has finished third in both starts over fences though beaten a long way on both occasions. French Ties scored at Uttoxeter in November but his untidy jumping caught up with him when well beaten at Southwell later in the same month.
Tafika 8-1 (11-5) Fell 1st, in a race won by Plum Pudding (10-13) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Be My Light (IRE) 11-4 (10-7) Held up in touch, jumped slowly 6th, pushed along 10th, soon outpaced, stayed on to go 3rd 2 out, faded last, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Problema Tic (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
O Crotaigh (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Made all, clear 3 out, eased flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec beating Pure Genius (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Daldini 4-1 (11-2) Close up until quickly lost place and in rear from 4th, mistake 6th, tailed off and pulled up, in a race won by Dystonia's Revenge (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Seigneur Des Bois (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, went 3rd from 11th, blundered 5 out, reminders after, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 9, 37l behind Monsieur Jourdain (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
French Ties (IRE) 10-11fav (12-2) Took keen hold, held up in rear, blundered 7th, not fluent and ridden 12th, steady headway on inside from 14th, went 3rd 4 out, not on terms with front pair when hit 3 out, weakened before next, lost poor 3rd flat, 4th of 6, 34l behind Cardigan Island (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Alora Money 8-1 (10-12) With leader, weakened from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 27l behind Lord Generous (11-5) at Southwell 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec '09.
