soon tracking leader, slow 3rd, gradually lost place, behind from 6th
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 6th, pushed along 4 out, weakened next, blundered 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, chased leaders next, weakened before 3 out
held up in rear, headway 5 out, weakened 3 out
mid-division, blundered 7th, headway on inner when mistake 10th, weakened 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, chased leaders 10th, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, headway 10th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on well, never able to challenge
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, stayed on same pace from next
chased leaders, under pressure 8th, soon ridden, weakened 10th, tailed off 5 out
held up in rear, headway 10th, chased leaders next, hard driven to challenge approaching last, stayed on to lead final 75 yards, ridden out (3 fences ommited)
soon led, strongly challenged before last, headed closing stages, kept on same pace
It's a while since SIR WINSTON has got his head in front but Victor Dartnall's gelding didn't do a lot wrong on his reappearance at Fontwell and has been dropped a couple of pounds in the weights since. He gets a tentative vote though Stop The Show has plenty of stamina and had Ballinhassig behind when finding only Brunette'Sonly too strong at Lingfield earlier this month, while Marias Rock should strip fitter for her comeback third to Just Josie at Folkestone. El Diego and Might As Well also have place claims but Amazing Valour looks to be on the downgrade and Kaycee has disappointed since finishing second on his chasing debut over C&D in October.
El Diego (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 14th, soon lost place, behind 4 out, blundered next, 6th of 7, 38l behind Good Order (11-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Might As Well 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 13th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to moderate 3rd 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 14, 24l behind Mr Chow (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Sir Winston (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 13th, led narrowly 4 out, ridden before next, tired when blundered and headed last, rallied to regain lead briefly flat, kept on, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Bring It On Home (10-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Marias Rock 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 10, 33l behind Just Josie (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Easter Lad 66-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside 4 out, ridden 3 out, stayed on to 3rd last, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Hazy Bay (11-10) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Stop The Show (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, chased winner after 4 out, led 3 out, pressed soon after, headed and weakened badly flat, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Brunette'sonly (11-4) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy.
Blue Lovell (FR) 33-1 (10-8) In touch on outside, mistake 8th and 10th, lost place 12th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Mr Chow (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Kaycee (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, hit 2nd, headway 5th, led 10th until 12th, outpaced in 5th at 14th, plugged on, tailed off, 4th of 11, 50l behind Glebehall Bay (11-11) at Hereford 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Amazing Valour (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Led, narrowly headed 5th, pressed leader, hit 10th, led again 11th until headed 14th, chased leader until before 3 out, weakened and struggling in 3rd next, 3rd of 9, 30l behind Kilcommon Pride (11-4) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Pretty Penny 8-1 (11-7) won at Barbury Racecourse 3m ptp in Dec beating Where's My Slave (11-7) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Ballinhassig (IRE) 4-1fav (9-11) Took keen hold, narrow lead until after 2nd, with leader, led again approaching 9th, headed and dropped to 3rd after 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 26l behind Brunette'sonly (11-4) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy.
