led until 3 out, soon ridden, led again 2 out, stayed on well flat
chased winner, led 3 out, headed next, 2 1/2 lengths 3rd and looked to be fading when fell last
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 3rd, closed next, ridden 3 out, jumped right and beaten next, left 3rd last
held up in touch on inside, closed after 7th, outpaced from 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch on inside, closed before 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and looked a little awkward flat, held but kept on
NonRunner
NonRunner
This looks a very tight handicap with most having some sort of chance, though Azzerti hasn’t raced over hurdles in a while. Calva D'Auge got back to winning ways at Taunton when beating Nordic Combined but the latter is now 3lb better off so there shouldn’t be much between the pair. Kateson galloped all the way to the line at Aintree and can be difficult to pass when in the mood. Ch'tibello has plenty of class and is eased in grade but we’re inclined to stick with the improving and unexposed THE COB, who just held on at Haydock last time but was making his handicap debut that day.
Calva D'Auge (FR) 14-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, challenged last, stayed on to lead won going away, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Nordic Combined (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Nordic Combined (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, challenging when not fluent 2 out, every chance when badly hampered last, not recover, 5th of 16, 8l behind Breffniboy (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
The Cob (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Mid-division out wide, headway chasing leaders 4th, went 2nd 6th, awkward 4 out, led 3 out, clear when idled run-in, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Oscars Leader (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Azzerti (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, mistake and weakened 3 out, 9th of 11, 30 3/4l behind Morning Vicar (11-7) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Good Man Pat (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway home turn after 3 out, disputing 2nd when ridden along 2 out, no extra after last and held run-in, 4th of 16, 9 1/2l behind Mount Windsor (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Ch'tibello (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside final bend, ridden and stayed on same pace from omitted last, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Song For Someone (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Kateson 5-1 (11-1) Led, strongly pressed and headed narrowly 2 out, ridden and rallied gamely run-in, won in head bob, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Eternally Yours (10-3) by ns, 11 ran.
