tracked leader, ridden 13th, weakening and virtually refused and jumped right 15th, pulled up soon after
held up, headway 15th, chased leader next, soon ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, weakened 13th, behind when pulled up before 13th
in rear when fell 10th
held up, headway 12th, chased winner from 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, jumped right 11th and 12th and unseated rider
made all, ridden clear 16th, ran on well
in touch and soon cajoled along, hampered and unseated rider 12th
mid-division, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out
held up, mistake 7th, weakened 5 out
held up, mistake 4th, headway when mistake 4 out, soon ridden and held
Nick Williams must have been tempted to turn The Risky Viking out again quickly following a wide margin win at Exeter but the son of Supreme Leader can reward his patience by getting the better of the likes of Milord Lescribaa and Petite Margot. He was raised a whopping 15lbs for that success but that was only his eighth career start and his third over fences and there should be plenty more to come. Pass Me By and Zimbabwe were the first two home last year but Pass Me By has failed to complete on all three subsequent starts whilst Zimbabwe has also struggled for form this season. Milord Lescribaa looks to have enough weight for what he's achieved but he does have some scope for improvement at this trip and is respected but Petite Margot has few secrets from the handicapper. There could be more to come from Migwell and Amazing Valour but the latter was well beaten by The Risky Viking last time who looks set to plunder this prize.
Pass Me By 14-1 (11-7) Jumped right, led until 4th, ridden approaching 8th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Dan Buoy (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Milord Lescribaa (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division until dropped rear 7th, steady headway when blundered 2 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 13, 13l behind Which Pocket (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Dec.
Migwell (FR) 3-1fav (11-9) Tracked leader, with clear leader 7th, led 4 out, fading 2 out, all out towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Feb beating English Jim (10-3) by 7l, 8 ran.
The Risky Viking (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, hit 12th, headway 14th, led 4 out, stayed on strongly, won at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating Finzi (10-11) by 17l, 7 ran.
Petite Margot 6-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, headway 17th, led approaching last, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Rambling Minster (11-7) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Mcevoy (IRE) 10-3 (10-2) Close up, effort 13th, blundered next, weakened from 19th, 5th of 7, 27l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-1) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Ironside (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Chased leader until approaching 2nd, in touch after, jumped slowly 3rd, weakened 10th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Super Lord (11-12) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Zimbabwe (FR) 16-1 (11-4) In touch, cajoled along to lead 7th, blundered and headed 8th, weakened 13th, 7th of 9, 46l behind Ironside (10-10) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Mistress Nell 3-1jt-fav (10-11) With leader, led 12th, headed 13th, chased clear winner 2 out, rallied and every chance last no extra, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Ironside (10-10) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Amazing Valour (IRE) 10-3fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, pecked 14th, ridden and every chance 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 7, 24l behind The Risky Viking (11-2) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Maximinus 4-1fav (10-0) Held up, mistake 9th, ridden after 13th, headway after 4 out, stayed on well from 2 out, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Alcatras (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
