chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led going well and dived at last, soon clear
never closer than mid-division weakened before 13th, tailed off
mistakes in last pair, blundered 9th, pushed along and struggling 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
chased leader until 4 out, chased leaders, stayed on same pace in 3rd
off the pace towards rear, hit 11th, 7th and struggling before 4 out, plugged on from last, never nearer
off the pace towards rear, dived at 8th (water), never on terms
chased leaders, hit 7th, outpaced 11th, rallied and pushed along in 4th after 14th, weakened before next
prominent until jumped slowly and lost place 1st, rallied chasing leaders after next, behind and never travelling before 5th, tailed off next, pulled up before 14th
raced keenly, led, went clear 3rd until 4 out, joined 2 out, headed and mistake last, no extra run-in
held up off the pace towards rear, headway approaching 8th (water) well there approaching 13th, soon pushed along and outpaced before next, rallied into modest 4th approaching 4 out
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Valadom’s presence should ensure a strong gallop while Fagan has a decent record over fences, enhanced by his latest third at Ludlow. Ouro Branco easily beat two subsequent winners on his reappearance at Wincanton but he’s been raised 10lb and stamina is unproven over this extra half-mile. Onefortheroadtom will have needed his run at Ascot in November but EL KALDOUN looks the one to beat as he’s finished second in a jumpers’ bumper since winning for the second time over fences at Taunton on ground similar to today’s. Forgot To Ask has been knocking on the door but will likely find at least one too good again.
Fagan 5-1 (11-9) Restrained in rear, awkward 16th, steady headway before 4 out, driven before 3 out, stayed on from last but could not reach leading pair, 3rd of 9, 5 3/4l behind Roll Again (11-12) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
As You Like (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Held up in midfield, ridden and lost place 12th, lost touch 13th, well adrift 4 out, no extra, 4th of 9, dist behind Truckin Away (11-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Breaking Waves (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Pressed leader, led 13th, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, dist behind Nearly Perfect (10-13) at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Skipthecuddles (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) In rear, badly hampered 2nd, hampered again 3rd, awkward 4th, ridden before 5th, lost touch 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th, at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Le Boizelo (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 10th, ridden after 14th, lost ground quickly before 4 out, no extra, 10th of 13, 33 1/2l behind Cobolobo (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Onefortheroadtom 11-2 (11-1) Towards rear, some minor headway 2 out, no extra, 7th of 11, 10l behind Quarenta (11-12) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
El Kaldoun (FR) 9-4jfav (11-5) Led over 6f, tracked leader, ridden to lead again over 1f out, kept on well but headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Eye Of An Eagle (11-5) at Lingfield 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Nadaitak 8-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, awkward 2nd, not fluent 9th, hit 10th, ridden before 11th, detached when pulled up before 12th, at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Ouro Branco (FR) 11-1 (11-9) Prominent, led 7th, headed after 8th, led 10th, jumped left 4 out, soon clear, jumped left 3 out, stayed on, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Francky Du Berlais (12-3) by 4 3/4l, 11 ran.
Dusky Lark 10-1 (11-10) Jumped left, led until 8th, struggling 4 out, well beaten next, 5th of 8, 22 3/4l behind Flagrant Delitiep (11-8) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Valadom (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Led, pressed and joined in the lead after the 5th, headed 3 out, stayed on but no match for the front two, 3rd of 11, 22 1/4l behind Broken Quest (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Forgot To Ask (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway into 2nd at 15th, led 4 out until before next, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 7 1/2l behind Darlac (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Don Lami (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Led narrowly, headed 2nd, led narrowly 6th, headed 8th, ridden and lost touch 5 out, blundered 4 out, tailed off before 2 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Benevolentdictator (11-3) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Dark Flame (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up, jumped slow 2nd, nudged along before 8th, ridden along 4 out, soon struggling, 8th of 10, dist behind Twojayslad (10-1) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
