close 4th on outside when fell 3rd
held up last, badly hampered and unseated rider 3rd
raced on inside, chased leading pair, hit 5th, went 2nd next, upsides bypassing normal 4 out, led briefly after next, no chance with winner before 2 out
led until approaching 2nd, chased winner until hit 6th, outpaced and no chance with leading duo from 8th, tailed off
chased leader, led approaching 2nd, joined bypassing normal 4 out, briefly headed after next, clear advantage before 2 out, easily
Norman The Great is entitled to improve on his second to Tullamore Dew over C&D last month. That was his first start since last summer and his debut over fences but he may have to settle for a place again behind KEKI BUKU. Up against a decent novice in Rock Noir at Warwick in December, he came up against another promising sort in Qozak at Taunton earlier this month but was clear of the remainder and it only seems a matter of time before he breaks his duck over fences. Pascha Bere had good form over hurdles, finishing third to Tocca Ferro in a Listed handicap at Newbury on his latest start in November. A visor replaces the usual cheekpieces on his chasing debut but he should go well if the new headgear helps him concentrate. The other pair may be out of their depth.
Keki Buku (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 9th, went poor 3rd and jumped left 4 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Qozak (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (4) gs.
L'Homme de Nuit (GER) 33-1 (11-0) Behind, slow 1st, went modest 4th 9th, outpaced from 10th, stayed on from last, went remote 3rd close home, tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Definity (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chase (4) gs in Jan.
Norman The Great 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, staying on when left in 2nd 2 out, kept on well, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Tullamore Dew (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Paddy The Yank (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Chased leading pair, went right 8th, outpaced when hit 10th, no chance with leading duo after, lost remote 3rd close home, 4th of 5, well behind Definity (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chase (4) gs in Jan.
Pascha Bere (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Prominent, led approaching 2 out, soon hard driven, headed last, no extra, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Tocca Ferro (10-2) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
