kept wide in 3rd, went 2nd after 6th until 8th, outpaced and reminders after next, over 10 lengths down at the last, ran on well run-in, not reach leaders
tended to jump left, tracked winner until after 6th, handy 3rd, 2nd again 8th, went left and bumped winner 4 out, 4 lengths down and ridden between last two, stayed on run-in, closed on tiring winner, just held
made virtually all, led and hit 1st, hit 7th, 4 lengths ahead when hit 2 out, shaken up before the last, driven and reduced lead towards finish, all out
Annual Invictus won a match over course and distance in November and has also won twice over hurdles at the track. But he was pulled up last time at Aintree and has to give 6lb to NASSALAM, who won at Ascot and Newbury before being taken off his feet by For Pleasure over shorter here last time. Elixir De Nutz ran his best race so far over fences when only beaten a nose at Exeter and is no forlorn hope.
Annual Invictus (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-12) Mistake 4th in mid-division, dropped to rear after 8th, ridden after 4 out, weakened after 3 out, pulled up, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Nassalam (FR) Evensfav (11-6) Jumped left, tracked winner, pushed along 3 out, ridden and outpaced entering straight, 2nd of 3, 37l behind For Pleasure (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec.
Elixir De Nutz (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led 3rd, edged left after 2 out, driven flat, headed post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Gladiateur Allen (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f (2) gs in Dec.
