led, mistake 3rd, not fluent 4 out, ridden after next, hard pressed 2 out, rallied when narrowly headed flat, regained lead post
tracked winner, effort 4 out, ridden after next, lost place 2 out, no extra in 4th before last
tracked leading pair, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd and held flat
held up in last pair, not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced, no impression after
raced keenly, held up in last pair, outpaced 4 out, switched outside and headway after next, challenged 2 out, every chance last, ridden to lead narrowly flat, kept on, headed post
NonRunner
NonRunner
MIXBOY was highly tried after winning this by 21 lengths 12 months ago. He’s still 11lb higher but was in very good form on the Flat at the end of last year and it would be no surprise to see a follow-up. Ut Majeur Aulmes is only 2lb better off than well beaten by Pain Au Chocolat at Perth last May but he travels up from Devon off the back of an excellent second at Aintree so has to be a danger. Chain Of Beacons was in good form in the autumn but has gone up 7lb since a narrow victory at Kelso. Archive was never travelling in the Castleford Chase at Wetherby last week, when Pain Au Chocolat unseated his rider, but is better than that.
Mixboy (FR) 3-1 (8-11) Led, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4 3/4l behind Castlelyons (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 9-1 (11-6) In touch, mistake 6th, headway after 5 out, stumbled badly on landing and unseated rider next, at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Ut Majeur Aulmes (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, driven and 3 lengths clear flat, headed close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Baby King (11-4) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Archive (FR) 7-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 6, 30 3/4l behind Just Cameron (11-12) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Solar Impulse (FR) 5-1 (12-1) Chased leader, led briefly 7th, ridden and lost 2nd before 4 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 6, dist behind Cut The Corner (12-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Chain Of Beacons 9-2 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway to track front pair before 4 out, went 2nd after 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Welcome Ben (10-6) by 1l, 8 ran.
Trust Thomas 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden before last, one pace, 5th of 9, 10l behind Bollin Line (10-5) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
