held up in last pair, struggling 7th, went moderate 4th before 9th, weakened 3 out (usual 4 out), tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 3rd when pecked badly on landing 9th, soon outpaced, no chance with front pair from 3 out (usual 4 out)
held up in last pair, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out (usual 4 out)
made all, hit 6th and 8th, drew well clear from 3 out (usual 4 out), unchallenged after, not fluent 2 out, went left at last, eased flat, very easily
chased leaders to 8th, soon behind and struggling, lost touch 10th, plugged on to take remote 4th before 2 out
Inthejungle is a three-times course and distance winner but was pulled up here returning from a lengthy absence. Bravo Riquet has been on the sidelines for the best part of the year while Where'd Ya Hide It is 7lb out of the handicap and Tiquer is hard to catch right. THE SNEEZER made Venetian Lad work hard for victory at Fontwell on Boxing Bay and easily beat the re-opposing Popaflora. He's preferred to the headstrong Topthorn, who easily beat Barenger and three others at Huntingdon last time but has another half-mile to cover here.
The Sneezer (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Chasing winner going to 3 out, switched right approaching last, led last, hard ridden flat, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Venetian Lad (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Popaflora 6-4fav (11-9) 3rd and one pace going to 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leading duo, kept on same pace, weakened into modest 4th in closing stages, 4th of 5, 33l behind Venetian Lad (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Inthejungle (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, under pressure 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Petit Ecuyer (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
Tiquer (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Held up in touch in last, pushed along before 4 out, soon beaten, well behind when hit 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Gleann Na Ndochais (11-9) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Sep, 4 ran.
Bravo Riquet (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, driven after 4 out, lost place next, kept on same pace, lost moderate 4th approaching last, 5th of 15, 19l behind Rocky Stone (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Jan '14.
Where'd Ya Hide It (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, hampered when left in 3rd at 4 out, every chance next, weakened before last, 2nd of 7, 36l behind Leith Hill Legasi (10-7) at Lingfield 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Topthorn 9-2 (11-0) Prominent, led 3 out, soon 4 lengths clear, ridden and ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec beating Missionaire (10-11) by 10l, 5 ran.
Barenger (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Made most until ridden 3 out, kept on same pace flat, just held on to 3rd, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Topthorn (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
