in rear, led from 4th, headed before 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 3rd, in rear and in touch from 4th, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on towards finish
led, headed after 3rd, chased leaders, every chance 4 out, lost 2nd before last, no extra
tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed 4th, tracked leader, led before 4 out, clear before 2 out, kept on from last
DANCING ART ran well for a long way at Uttoxeter on his return from a year's absence. A dual winner over these fences, Keith Reveley's charge looks up to landing this with that run under his belt. Cloverhill Lad returned to action with a victory at Hexham last month but has disappointed in a couple of subsequent starts. Dotties Dilema makes more appeal as he ran well for third at the same track on his chasing bow and may well improve past Rupert Bear, who has slipped down the weights without showing any benefit so far.
Rupert Bear 11-1 (11-1) Always behind, 5th of 8, 17l behind Zaru (11-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Dec.
Dancing Art (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Held up behind leaders, not fluent 8th, effort after 4 out, no impression, mistake last, 6th of 7, 23l behind Duke Of Monmouth (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Dotties Dilema (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Tracked winner, effort 3 out, not fluent next, soon outpaced, no chance with winner between last 2, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Suprise Vendor (10-10) at Hexham 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
Cloverhill Lad (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, badly hampered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Ballycool (9-9) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
