made all, jumped well, driven clear before last, ran on strongly
tracked leader, pushed along 5 out, hard ridden before 3 out, effort when mistake next, faded flat
chased leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, lost touch after 6th, soon beaten, modest 4th
BE MY DEPUTY has shot up the weights but deservedly so after four wins in his last five outings. He still gets 3lb from hunter chaser Flaming Gorge and this is his best trip so he's the obvious selection. Bally Gunner's jumping has gone to pieces since he won at Plumpton in November while Xenophon has unseated his rider in his last two and is still a pound higher than when beaten here last month.
Flaming Gorge (IRE) 13-8fav (11-13) Led, frequently jumped right, headed 11th, rallied 3 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Macklin (11-5) at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gd.
Be My Deputy (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Prominent until 1st, tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, led 3 out, headed and not fluent next, switched right before last, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating French Ties (11-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Bally Gunner 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 9th, in a race won by Twirling Magnet (11-3) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Xenophon 16-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Be My Deputy (11-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 9 ran.
