led to 5th, remained close up, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, outpaced before 4 out, in 6th and held when hampered and unseated rider 2 out
towards rear, headway 4 out, in 5th and one pace when fell 2 out
in touch, chased leaders before 4 out, challenged last, led run-in, all out
in rear, pushed along after 4th, in 6th before 4 out, kept on from next
in touch, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, with leader when fell 4 out
tracked leader, led from 5th, blundered 2 out, soon pressed, headed run-in, kept on towards finish
towards rear, headway before 5 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace
SWIFT ARROW is fancied to land this for the second year running back on good ground. He races off the same mark and can reverse December's Ludlow running with Sir Valentino on 6lb better terms. Kie and Quito Du Tresor were third and fifth last year and are no better off at the weights so the novice Ifandbutwhynot might be a bigger danger with A P McCoy taking over the reins. Ultimate and Swaledale Lad are both versatile and the latter probably isn't badly treated on his form last season so gets a mention.
Kie (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) In touch on outside, reminders after 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Upsilon Bleu (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Ultimate 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 10, 14l behind Ruacana (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Buthelezi (USA) 8-1 (11-5) Not always fluent, held up in rear, mistake 4th, mistake and pushed along 11th, no chance after, last of 7, 17l behind Fruity O'Rooney (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Apr.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, under pressure 3 out, left in 2nd at last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Boondooma (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov chs (2) hvy in Dec.
Swift Arrow (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Behind, reminders after 4th, lost touch when pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Gardefort (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Sir Valentino (FR) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led 8th, ran on well, comfortably, won at Ludlow 2m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan beating Dresden (11-3) by 4l, 5 ran.
Swaledale Lad (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, in 4th before last, one pace, 4th of 7, 14l behind The New One (11-12) at Haydock 2m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, mistake 6 out, pushed along before 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, led after last, held on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Jan beating Riskier (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
