held up mid-division, pushed along and outpaced 13th, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, stayed on from next, no impression
held up, lost place 9th, hampered 16th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 12th, chased winner from 16th, ridden 4 out, kept on from last
held up in touch, reminders 5th, lost place next, pulled up before 9th
always behind, lost place from 6th, pulled up before 9th
tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place 10th, headway 5 out, ridden and hit 4 out, weakened next
led, headed and fell 16th
close up, led 16th, ridden 4 out, kept on well from last
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, soon lost place, in touch when mistake and unseated rider 8th
tracked leader, took closer order 5th, reminders after 13th, ridden 4 out, one pace and no impression from next
High Cotton is the pick in this wide open event, Almire du Lia and Gimme Shelter are also expected to run well. Keith Reveley's charge only managed a couple of outings last season but showed plenty of ability. He will be all the better for a recent spin at Sedgefield and looks to be the best option this afternoon. Almire du Lia was successful over the three mile trip here back in November. The extra six furlongs is bit of a concern but he could still be fighting for a place. Gimme Shelter is an out an out stayer and looked on the way back at Market Rasen last time. The soft ground will not be a problem and he could get involved here at a decent price. The pick of the others could be Lazy But Lively, but High Cotton is well treated on his best form and he just edges the decision.
Wildfield Rufo (IRE) 150-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden and lost place 23rd, stayed on again flat, never on terms, 7th of 16, 15l behind Ivoire De Beaulieu (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs 0-150 (B) gs in Dec.
Lazy But Lively (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Always behind, 5th of 10, well behind D J Flippance (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
High Cotton (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, driven and outpaced 4 out, kept on under pressure from next, never near leaders, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Weapons Inspector (11-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (E) hvy in Dec.
Almire du Lia (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden from 4 out, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 10l behind Blunham Hill (10-7) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Dec.
Historg (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Sir Storm (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Falchion 14-1 (11-2) Held up, hampered 2nd, behind from 8th, tailed off, 6th of 10, 35l behind Blunham Hill (10-7) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Dec.
Gimme Shelter (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Led, blundered 1st, hit 10th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Villair (11-10) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) sft in Dec.
Briar's Mist (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Led to 3rd, with leader until weakened approaching 15th, 6th of 9, well behind Ebony Light (11-12) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (D) hvy in Dec.
Ta Ta For Now 20-1 (11-3) Behind when pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Almire Du Lia (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
To The Future (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, weakening when mistake 12th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Major Benefit (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) hvy in Dec, 17 ran.
