led, not fluent 8th, headed 15th, one pace in 3rd 4 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, closed 13th, outpaced after 15th, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, closed 6th, pecked 11th, led 15th, not fluent 3 out, mistake and headed next, one pace flat
pressed leader, hit 10th, not fluent 3 out, led next, 5 lengths clear when bad mistake last, gathered up and driven out
Nonrunner
Imperial Vic began his chasing career with an easy victory at Perth but hasn't quite made the expected progress though he takes a drop in class here. Badger Foot has won twice in recent weeks though his best efforts have come over shorter trips on quicker ground. Tutchec has made all to complete a hat-trick at Carlisle and stayed on very strongly last time so even another 9lb rise may not be enough to prevent a four-timer. Fentara won a novice chase on heavy ground at Kelso a year ago then ran well in better races than this but pulled up on his return to action at Bangor in November. Rolecarr loves testing ground but was having his tenth unsuccessful start on this track when runner-up to Knockgraffon King earlier this month. ROSE OF THE MOON is much better than his latest form figures suggest as he's been competing at a much higher level since his two novice chase victories and is taken to return to winning ways.
Imperial Vic (IRE) 85-40fav (11-12) Tracked leader until 4th, tracked leader again 16th until 20th, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Royale Knight (10-3) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Rolecarr (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) In touch, headway before 6 out, chased winner before 4 out, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Knockgraffon King (10-13) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Fentara 5-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, mistake 4th, pushed along 9th, soon lost place, rallying when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Castle Conflict (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Tutchec (FR) 4-1 (10-10) Mainly jumped well, made all, clear 4 out, ridden and stayed on flat, unchallenged, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Herdsman (11-5) by 2l, 7 ran.
Rose Of The Moon (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, modest progress and 8th 4 out, no impression, 10th of 22, 22l behind Chance Du Roy (10-6) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Dec.
Badger Foot (IRE) 11-1 (9-11) Held up in touch, headway 10th, went 2nd approaching 4 out, ridden and upsides 2 out, narrow advantage between last 2, stayed on well under pressure flat, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec beating Zaru (11-10) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
