chased leaders on outer, held after 2 out, jumped left last and weakened
chased leaders, led travelling strongly after 3 out, stayed on well, pushed out run-in and cleared away, readily
led, pushed along and headed after 3 out, soon ridden and mistake 2 out, dropped away
tracked leaders, mid-division 6th, not fluent 3 out, headway and went 2nd 2 out where not fluent, ridden and left behind by winner approaching last, hung right run-in, no match
mid-division, pushed along home turn, tailed off 3 out
in rear, not fluent at times, reminders 6th and lost touch, soon pulled up
prominent, pushed along and gradually weakened after 3 out
rear mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 4th 2 out and ridden, stayed on one pace before last
towards rear, lost ground and behind 3 out
NonRunner
Champetre was very disappointing on his hurdling debut at Wincanton and FIRE FLYER (NAP) tackles obstacles for the first time. However, Paul Nicholls’ bumper winner is a full brother to the useful hurdler and chaser Severano and looks a nice recruit with the step up in trip certain to suit. Pic Roc, another newcomer, is worth a second look and Touch Of Thunder could be one for a handicap. Gidleigh Park and East India Express carry a penalty but both are 2-2 so demand the utmost respect while Itseemslikeit won over this distance at Ffos Las, though his future probably lies over further.
East India Express (IRE) 10-11fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, led approaching 2 out, ran on, won at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov beating Billy Boi Blue (11-0) by 5l, 13 ran.
Gidleigh Park 1-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders out wide, went 2nd 3 out, led next, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov beating Range (11-0) by 7 1/2l, 13 ran.
Itseemslikeit 9-2 (11-3) Made all, jumped well, forged on 3 out, ran on well, always doing enough, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Minella Blueway (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Fire Flyer (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Led on inside, ridden and headed over 1f out, held when edged left and slightly hampered inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Brechin Castle (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Jolyjump (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, some headway before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 25l behind Secret Squirrel (11-0) at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Last In Line 33-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, outpaced 4f out, well beaten final 3f, 8th of 9, dist behind All Authorized (10-8) at Fontwell 1m 6f (5) sft in Apr.
Pic Roc (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Handy, led 4f out, ridden well over 2f out, headed over 1f out, switched left inside last, always held, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Inoui Machin (11-9) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Apr.
Theformismighty 6-1 (11-4) In rear, shaken up rounding home turn, ridden along bypassing usual 2 out, kept on run-in but never near to challenge, 5th of 11, 18l behind Inthewaterside (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (3) gs in Oct.
Touch Of Thunder (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Rear mid-division, some headway home turn, pushed along 3 out, no further progress, 6th of 12, 21 1/2l behind Jingko Blue (11-0) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Dec.
Catch Catchfire Dartmouth gelding out of Becky B.
Champetre (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Prominent, not fluent 1st, pushed along after 3rd, struggling after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Sonification 28-1 (10-13) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 5th of 14, 21 1/2l behind Pikar (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Thunder N Lightnin (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) In touch, pushed along and headway 2 out, kept on towards finish, 6th of 13, 19 1/4l behind East India Express (10-13) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
