tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, soon poised to challenge, upsides next, ridden before last, kept on same pace, held final 110 yards
held up behind in touch, reminder after 6th, chased front pair before 3 out, ridden to lead approaching next, stayed on well final 110 yards
tracked leaders, dropped towards rear after 3rd, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
led to after 4th, tracked leader, mistake 6th, lost place before 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
held up behind in touch, went 4th approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with leaders
tracked leader, led after 4th, blundered 3 out, headed approaching next, soon no chance with front pair
Shotavodka alternates between hurdles and fences and hasn't won for a while but San Benedeto has already been successful twice this campaign and dropping back to 2m here last month didn't suit. It was probably the extra half-mile that foiled the gamble on ONE TRACK MIND at Cheltenham as he'd travelled very strongly for much of the trip. He should strip fitter now and can recoup losses. The hat-trick seeking Isaac Bell is raised in class off a higher mark while Lower Hope Dandy may just need this. Chieftain's Choice looks to be a little out of his depth.
San Benedeto (FR) 11-8fav (11-9) Held up in 4th, closed before 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon beaten, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 19l behind Sternrubin (11-1) at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
One Track Mind (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 5th, slipped after next, ridden before last, kept on same pace flat, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind So Fine (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Shotavodka (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Held up behind, outpaced before 4 out, kept on under pressure from next, never on terms, 6th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Wakanda (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Chieftain's Choice (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Led and soon clear until 3 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Minstrels Gallery (10-3) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Isaac Bell (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Sword of The Lord (11-1) by nk, 9 ran.
Lower Hope Dandy 2-1 (10-8) Led, ridden clear 2 out, race at mercy when blundered and fell last, at Bangor 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
