led until 3rd, bumped 5th, led next, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, ridden after 8th, headway before next, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway 8th, led 3 out, clear before last, ran on well
prominent until 3rd, tracked leaders, mistake 7th, not fluent 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, took keen hold, mistake 5th, ridden after 8th, rider lost irons after next, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd or 5th, well beaten from 3 out
mid-division, headway 9th, not fluent 3 out, chased winner before 2 out until approaching last, no extra flat
with leader, led 3rd, mistake 5th, headed next, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway after 3rd, not fluent 6th, pushed along after next, weakened after 9th
Nonrunner
Richard Newland must think that ROYALE KNIGHT is badly handicapped over fences now, hence the switch to hurdles. The six-year-old has clearly improved for a spell hunting and may well be good enough to complete his hat-trick under Rules. Kenaleck has been raised 5lb since finishing second in a Worcester seller while chaser Royal Kicks may need this. Jerry Lee would have a chance if back to his best and Terra Bleu could also do better back over hurdles and in a first-time visor but Mangonel was a long way behind the selection over fences last time.
Royal Kicks (FR) 7-1 (10-2) Tracked leader until after 3rd, mistake 5th, lost place after 6th, behind next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Mexican Bob (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun, 13 ran.
Mangonel 8-1 (11-9) Always last, stumbled and reminder 6th, not fluent and more reminders 9th, lost touch 12th, tailed off, last of 4, 42l behind Royale Knight (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) sft in Oct.
Royale Knight 10-11fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 12th, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Oct beating Kilvergan Boy (11-12) by 8l, 16 ran.
Kenaleck (GER) 15-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led before 9th, not fluent 2 out, driven and headed when hung left flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Sovereign Spirit (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
Ashmolian (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Raced wide, took keen hold in rear, plugged on from after 2 out, kept on well flat, went 5th close home, 5th of 8, 9l behind Geminus (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
Terra Bleu (IRE) 15-8 (9-11) Disputed lead until slow 5th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, modest 3rd, 3rd of 4, 27l behind No No Bingo (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Oct.
Lord Aldervale (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, challenged when edged right after 3 out, 6th and outpaced when blundered next, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 38l behind Osmosia (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
Little Roxy (IRE) 3-1fav (10-1) Prominent, led 3rd, headed 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 14l behind Marju King (11-6) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
What's For Tea 8-1 (10-6) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, last of 8, 44l behind Osmosia (11-7) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Jerry Lee (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, headway under pressure 2 out, never on terms, modest 4th, 4th of 7, 20l behind Award Winner (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Oct.
Fitandproperjob 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, 38l behind Un Bon P'tit Gars (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Oct.
