pecked badly 1st, tracked leader until clipped the top of the 10th, knuckled badly and unseated rider
badly hampered 1st, in rear after, bad mistake and ridden 8th, hit 14th, went 8 lengths 3rd 4 out, no impression and well held after 3 out
led until 14th, ridden next, weakened 4 out, pulled up after 3 out
tracked leaders, fell 13th
badly hampered and unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, hampered and rider lost iron briefly 10th, led 16th, drew clear after 3 out
held up, hampered 1st, hampered and left 4th 13th, blundered next, disputing 5 lengths 3rd when fell 16th
tracked leaders, pecked 1st, hampered 10th, led 14th, headed and not fluent 16th, mistake 4 out, held by winner from next
fell 1st
Rate Of Knots stays well but she doesn't win as often as she should and again found little off the bridle when favourite at Towcester last month. The mare is likely to find at least one too good again here while smart hunter chaser Mid Div And Creep has her first run since May and looks to have plenty of weight. Strongbows Legend's burden is reduced by Kielan Woods' 5lb claims and he won easily at Hereford last time, though is 14lb higher today, while Molly Round was entered at Exeter yesterday. Justabout has shown little since winning at Exeter in October but Double Dizzy will appreciate the return to a long trip having got outpaced over 2m5f at Leicester last Wednesday. DIAMOND BROOK ran well for a long way when fourth over 4m at Exeter last time and still has a bit of scope over marathon trips. He can return to winning ways though Evella is capable of going well fresh and shouldn't be ignored.
Strongbows Legend 11-4fav (11-3) Made all, clear from 3 out, easily, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec beating Moleskin (11-12) by 25l, 12 ran.
Mid Div And Creep 11-10fav (11-3) Jumped well, led until approaching 3rd, tracked leader until 10th, went 2nd again 17th, led 21st, clear 5 out, impressive, won at Cheltenham 4m 1f hts chs (4) gf in May beating King Of The Road (11-3) by 34l, 7 ran.
Evella (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Led, headed 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Easter Legend (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f mrs lst nov hcp chs (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Rate of Knots (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, every chance next, soon outpaced by leading pair, ridden and rallied towards stands side between last 2, kept on under pressure flat, held towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Picture In The Sky (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Diamond Brook (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, lost 2nd approaching and mistake 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 13, 11l behind Drybrook Bedouin (11-8) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Double Dizzy 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, dropped to mid-division after 5th, outpaced beffore 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 14, 22l behind Cootehill (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Dec.
Near The Water (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Always behind, never on terms, plugged on in modest 6th from 14th, tailed off, 5th of 11, 48l behind Reblis (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Justabout 12-1 (10-13) Prominent, under pressure after 4 out, soon every chance, weakened before last, last of 5, 26l behind Key Cutter (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) fm in Dec.
Zimbabwe (FR) 8-1 (10-0) Led until headed 13th, lost 2nd next, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Reblis (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Molly Round (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on outer, went 2nd from 4th, ridden before last, kept on to lead last 50 yards, won at Exeter 2m 3f mares nov ch (4) hvy in Dec beating Brixen (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
