led, mistake 8th, headed 13th, weakened from 5 out
tracked leader, joined leader 10th, led 13th, clear from 5 out, stayed on well
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 7th, hit 9th, no impression from 4 out
held up towards rear, went 3rd from 13th, chased winner from 5 out, stayed on from last, always held
held up towards rear, jumped left 10th, weakened from next, tailed off
in rear, pushed along before 10th, soon weakened, tailed off
HELPSTON didn't get very far at Ascot last time before unseating but has every chance on his second in a Grade 3 handicap at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Pam Sly's charge gets the nod here as that looks stronger form than his chief rival Frascati Park recorded when he won at Warwick last month. Those two look a cut above the rest with the exception of Lackamon, who had been progressing well over fences but has lost his way since winning here in November. The inconsistent Dancing Dik may come out best of the rest.
Frascati Park (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Took keen hold, led after 1st, ridden from 4 out, stayed on gamely, won at Warwick 3m nov chs (2) gs in Jan beating Alfie Spinner (11-5) by 4l, 7 ran.
Helpston 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Invictus (11-4) at Ascot 3m nov chs G2 (1) gs, 7 ran.
Lackamon 8-1 (11-9) Towards rear, pushed along after 6th, weakened 7th, in rear when pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Cannington Brook (11-12) at Haydock 2m 4f Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (3) hvy, 8 ran.
Rolecarr (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Prominent, left 2nd 2 out until before last, one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Morgan Be (11-2) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Dancing Dik 13-8fav (11-0) Led, headed after 8th, led 9th, headed 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Bishops Heir (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft.
Saddle Pack (IRE) 5-2 (10-3) Led to 5th, tracked leader, led again 7th, headed 11th, mistake and weakened from 5 out, 4th of 5, 19l behind Quacity (11-9) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.