raced in close 2nd and sometimes copied leader by jumping right, led 9th, hit 4 out, ridden approaching last, pressed flat, found extra, stayed on well
held up in rear, blundered 10th, fell next
held up in touch, no impression on front pair after 4 out, weakened next, lost 3rd towards finish
jumped right, led until 9th, chased leader until 14th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, hit 9th, behind 10th, not fluent and hampered next, tailed off
held up towards rear, hit 9th, closed 12th, 4th when jumped left 4 out, no impression, took 3rd towards finish, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders, hit 4th, chased winner 14th, not fluent 2 out, stayed on under pressure to challenge flat, no impression final 100 yards
Nothing too prolific in the race and with stamina doubts for Polyfast, this may be a straight shoot-out between recent winners Captain Tidds and DANCING MIST, with narrow preference for the last-named. The selection missed an engagement mid-week but takes up this engagement as a result. He has a mark of 120 which looks fair (the race midweek was up against 130+ rated animals so had he won there his handicap mark would have been smashed) and this strong stayer looks sure to get his ideal ground conditions this afternoon. Den Of Iniquity has regressed since a promising start to his chasing career in the winter, however he might just appreciate this easier grade, Captain Tidds won a weak race in style last time out at Warwick but his mark looks high as a result (12lbs higher than when third in November), whilst Polyfast was lucky to win at Kempton in December and hasn't looked a threat since, especially over this trip. Nom De Guerre hasn't quite come up to the mark in novice events but he has been given a chance by the handicapper as a result, Michigan D'Isop is consistent but was firmly put in his place by Buffalo Bob (run well since) last time, whilst Arturo Uno is adaptable in regards to the ground but his strike-rate is modest at best. An open heat, but the nod is given to Dancing Mist.
Den of Iniquity 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Khachaturian (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs (3) hvy in Feb, 4 ran.
Captain Tidds (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Held up in last, headway 10th, chased leader 13th, led when left well clear 2 out, eased flat, won at Warwick 3m nov chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb beating Arctic Echo (10-7) by 12l, 5 ran.
Polyfast (FR) 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked winner, ridden approaching and weakened 4 out, 4th of 8, 33l behind Pickamus (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Dancing Mist (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Led until headed before 11th, dropped to 3rd and driven along 12th, rallied ot lead after 4 out, soon clear and stayed on well, won at Exeter 3m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Might As Well (10-7) by 18l, 5 ran.
Swordsman (GER) 40-1 (11-2) Held up, hampered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Khachaturian (11-2) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Michigan d'Isop (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway on inside 10th, chased winner approaching 3 out, no impression when jumped right 2 out, 2nd of 10, 27l behind Buffalo Bob (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Arturo Uno (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) In touch on inner, in 3rd and one pace when blundered badly 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Carrickmines (10-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Nom de Guerre (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, pushed along after 3 out, soon outpaced, 6th of 7, 26l behind Mobaasher (11-1) at Southwell 3m beg chs (3) gd in Dec.
