tracked leaders, mistake 7th, led 3 out (normal 4 out), clear bypassing omitted 2 out, kept on strongly (9 fences jumped instead of 12)
led until approaching 3rd, lost 2nd after 6th, chased leaders, outpaced 2 out (normal 3 out), plugging on when left modest 3rd at the last
chased leaders, went 2nd after 6th until approaching 3 out (normal 4 out), weakened 2 out (normal 3 out)
held up in 5th, hit 3 out (normal 4 out), went 3rd after 2 out (normal 3 out), went modest 2nd approaching the last
raced keenly, chased leader, led approaching 3rd, headed 3 out (normal 4 out), chased winner, ridden and no impression bypassing omitted 2 out, dropped to 3rd and fell last
always behind, left remote 4th at the last, never a factor, tailed off
refused to race and took no part
always in last pair, never a factor, tailed off when blundered 3 out (normal 4 out)
WENCESLAUS has won his last two over fences in-between a second place over hurdles and is only 3lb higher than his last victory so should go in again. Vicenzo Mio was beaten 18 lengths over fences here last month and a long way over hurdles three weeks ago but Clondaw Robin scored over hurdles at Fontwell last month and was having just his second start over fences when a good third at Lingfield. Scaramucci, who makes his debut over fences, has yet to be placed over timber or in point-to-points.
Wenceslaus (GER) 11-4fav (11-11) Jumped left at times, close up, led 2 out, ridden and headed narrowly flat, rallied to lead again towards finish, ran on, won at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Agentleman (10-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Vicenzo Mio (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, never a factor, 7th of 15, dist behind High Up In The Air (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Hope's Wishes 16-1 (10-9) Reluctant to jump off, held up, closed from 4th, lost place before 2 out, 5th of 7, 18l behind Born To Please (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Scaramucci (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 10, 12 3/4l behind Layerthorpe (11-4) at Taunton 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Fethard Flyer (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, lost place before 3 out, last of 16, dist behind Itsonlyrocknroll (12-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Clondaw Robin (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Held up in 5th, steady headway tracking leaders 7th, went 2nd after 4 out, hung left from next, no chance with winner, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Bridle Loanan (11-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Beet Topper (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Raced keenly, chased winner who went clear before 7th, lost modest 2nd before 3 out until weakened quickly before next, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Flaminger (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Shanroe Smooch (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden 4th, well beaten from 3 out, 13th of 16, 29 1/4l behind Itsonlyrocknroll (12-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
