mid-division, mistake 6th, soon outpaced, behind from 3 out, tailed off
held up behind, headway before 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, stayed on well flat, pressed front pair toward finish, just held
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, chased leaders when mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, well held from next
led, ridden after 3 out, hard pressed flat, kept on until headed and no extra near finish
always in rear, struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, blundered 7th, lost place 3 out, ridden before next, held when not fluent last, weakened flat
tended to jump right, tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to challenge flat, led near finish
tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon ridden, kept on approaching last, no extra in 4th flat
Blades Lad won over track and trip at the end of November before finding the company too hot at Ascot. He should do better in this but Jack Steel was never a factor at Doncaster last time and his win at Ayr in the autumn came over a longer trip on a faster surface. Aye Well hasn't shown much this season and Vodka Wells has disappointed in recent starts so we'll take a chance on LIGHTENING ROD, who has only managed one win so far over fences but is now a pound lower and very well treated on his hurdles form. Chestnut Ben has won his fair share and is potentially well handicapped but is starting to look a light of former days.
Jack Steel (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, behind 11th, 7th of 11, dist behind Wings Attract (10-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Lightening Rod 8-1 (11-2) Chased leader, driven to challenge approaching 4 out, under pressure when blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 29 1/2l behind Sir Valentino (11-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Vodka Wells (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 5 out, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 26l behind Arthur's Oak (11-2) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Aye Well 14-1 (10-13) In rear, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 5th of 6, 18 1/4l behind Indian Voyage (11-1) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Rockawango (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Always in rear, 6th of 11, 32 1/2l behind Holly Bush Henry (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Blades Lad 14-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, blundered and lost place 4th, never on terms after, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Hollywoodien (10-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, under pressure before 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 29 3/4l behind Chankillo (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Formidableopponent (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Held up in rear but in touch, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
