held up towards rear, headway 7th to track leaders, led 11th, ridden before 3 out, kept on from last
held up in touch, headway 5 out, went 4th 4 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
led to 11th, weakened before 4 out
held up towards rear, headway before 13th, went 3rd 2 out, blundered last, no extra
tracked leader, weakened from 13th
tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd before 4 out, kept on from last
held up in rear, pushed along before 11th, tailed off 5 out, soon pulled up
With the possible exception of Daasij, this looks a tight little handicap with the likes of Riguez Dancer and course specialist Everaard a bit better than recent form figures would suggest. Swing Hard seemed to struggle on soft ground at Newcastle so may have a bit to prove but Presented, a winner on the same course last time, appears to be heading in the right direction and Lord Of Drums is holding his form well despite continuing to edge up the weights. THE MAGIC BISHOP had his problems last year but is now 4lb lower than his last winning mark and the ground will suit. He should give supporters a run for their money here.
Swing Hard (IRE) 7-4fav (10-9) Mistake 1st, in rear, struggling when not fluent 7th, plugged on from 4 out, just held for moderate 3rd near finish, 4th of 6, 31l behind Badger Foot (9-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Riguez Dancer 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 9th, hit and headed 5 out, outpaced next, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 17l behind Swing Hard (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Lord Of Drums (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Led, headed narrowly when mistake 4th, lost place after 4 out, soon outpaced, ridden 2 out, stayed on to press for 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Coax (11-1) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
The Magic Bishop 8-1 (10-11) In rear, ridden and progress 4 out, kept on to go 3rd flat, never a factor, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Present View (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Everaard (USA) 5-1 (11-3) Led until hit 3rd and headed, chased leaders, pushed along after 11th, mistake 12th, lost 2nd 15th, chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, last of 5, 23l behind Nodform Richard (11-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Dec.
Presented (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Led to 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden after next, led 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Nov beating Twice Lucky (10-8) by 3l, 13 ran.
Daasij (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in touch on inside, struggling 6th, lost touch next, plugged on to take moderate 4th after 3 out, no chance with leaders, 4th of 7, 26l behind Edmund (10-6) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
