chased leaders until 8th, gradually faded, tailed off from 14th
held up, making good headway when fell 14th
jumped badly right, mid-division, behind from 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
led until jumped badly right 2nd, chased leaders, went 2nd after 16th, soon ridden, no further impression on winner from 3 out
led 2nd until 11th, led after 14th, clear from 16th, stayed on well
jumped right throughout, tracked leaders until 12th, losinging place when badly hampered 14th, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, hampered 2nd, lost touch after 13th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, hit 7th, stumbled badly 13th, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway 11th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 11th until 14th, weakened after 16th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 9th
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 14th
mid-division, headway after 14th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders until 6th, in touch, ridden after 15th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
always towards rear
jumped right throughout, mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway 8th, hit 10th, ridden after 14th, weakened next, pulled up before 4 out
soon struggling in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
The most competitive affair of the day can go to Aisjem over a whole host of contenders including Lambrini Bianco, Paddy The Optimist and Oscar Performance to name but a few. A big field for the finale does not make predicting the outcome too easy, but Aisjem gained due reward for some honest efforts when scoring at Fakenham, and a slight rise for that hard fought victory is offset by the fact that he is dropped down a grade, so he is the pick in a wide-open handicap. Lambrini Bianco carries a 7lb penalty for a narrow success at Southwell, but if allowed to force the pace, could easily be there at the finish, with stamina not an issue. Paddy The Optimist was sent off as favourite at Hereford last time but once again was found wanting when asked to go and win his race, so a place may be all that he can hope for again, while Oscar Performance was put in his place behind Kosmos Bleu at Wincanton but should fare best of those from out of the weights. At the other end of the handicap, both He's The Biz and Reverse Swing are worth a mention, but the pin comes down on Aisjem.
He's The Biz (FR) 5-1 (10-4) Held up last, lost touch 14th, weakened 15th, went poor 3rd approaching 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 5, 33l behind Comanche War Paint (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Dec.
Reverse Swing 11-2 (11-9) Led to 3 out, quickly weakened, 3rd of 12, 45l behind Trovaio (10-0) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in May.
Lambrini Bianco (IRE) 9-2fav (11-0) Jumped right, with leader, led 2nd, headed 14th, led again next, headed after 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, led approaching last, all out, won at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Blazing Hills (11-9) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Paddy The Optimist (IRE) 4-1fav (9-9) Held up, headway 9th, went 2nd 4 out until approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Sungates (10-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Aisjem (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up, in touch, led approaching 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, hard ridden and led again approaching last, all out, won at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in May beating Maryscross (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Faddad (USA) 9-2 (10-1) In touch, ridden after 9th, soon beaten, 8th of 14, 22l behind Twentytwosilver (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
A Pound Down (IRE) 28-1 (9-11) Hampered and unseated rider in race won by Eveon (10-2) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May, 15 ran.
Oscar Performance (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, led 9th, reminder after next, ridden and headed after 4 out, faded, 3rd of 6, 27l behind Kosmos Bleu (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
