jumped right, led jumped right and badly hampered rival 1st, headed 10th, chased leader, pecked 12th, led again 4 out, headed before next, weakening when blundered badly 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after
held up in last pair, closer tracking leaders approaching 8th, pushed along before 3 out, weakened 3 out
ran bit in snatches, held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 8th, went 2nd at the last, no chance with winner
chased leaders on inside, led 10th until 4 out, in front again approaching next, stayed on strongly
prominent when badly impeded and fell 1st
in rear, mistakes 5th and 10th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, fell 1st
chased leader until 4th, chased leaders, close 2nd again and every chance 3 out, soon pushed along, lost 2nd at the last, plugged on in 3rd run-in
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, modest 4th when slightly hampered next, weakened into 5th and blundered badly last
chased leaders out wide, went 2nd 4th, lost place 8th, rallied after 2 out, went modest 4th approaching last
Though he’s failed to complete in two hurdle runs this term, Do Wanna Know should make a chaser with a similar comment applying to Flinck. Alnadam found only one too good on his fencing bow at Carlisle and the winner has scored again since. Top Man beat a subsequent winner on his first run over fences at Fontwell and Funambule Sivola was even more impressive on his introduction to chasing at Wetherby. He is penalised but still has only one below him in the weights. MORNING VICAR jumped superbly at Newbury having finished second in a hot contest at Uttoxeter on his reappearance. He could be even better going right-handed and should again beat Before Midnight.
Morning Vicar (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Jumped right on occasions, made all, hit 7th, good jump to assert last, ridden out run-in, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Nestor Park (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Flinck (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 3rd, ridden and lost ground 4 out, one pace before last, 7th of 17, 24 1/4l behind Honest Vic (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Quartz Du Rheu (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Held up and kept wide, niggled along before 5 out, soon struggling and detached 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Hurricane Harvey (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) gs in Oct.
Before Midnight 7-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, went 3rd before next, 2nd at the last, stayed on run-in but lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Morning Vicar (11-7) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Alnadam (FR) 11-2 (11-5) Held up, awkward 12th, headway to press leader 3 out, slmost upsides last, ran on strongly under pressure flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Rath An Iuir (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Top Man (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, jumped left and slow next, mistake 11th, led 2 out, stayed on and drew clear flat, won at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Carrick Roads (11-7) by 10l, 6 ran.
Do Wanna Know (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Towards rear, fell 2nd, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Ballinslea Bridge (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) In rear and mistakes, outpaced after 5th, weakened before 3 out, last of 6, 32l behind On The Slopes (11-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Killer Clown (IRE) 11-2jfav (11-6) Mid-division, headway 10th, 3rd final bend, weakened 2 out, 6th of 18, 25 1/4l behind Jersey Bean (11-7) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Funambule Sivola (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Prominent, contested lead travelling smoothly 3 out, definite advantage after 2 out, nudged clear, readily, won at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Exelerator Express (11-11) by 7l, 7 ran.
Mister Murchan (IRE) 10-3 (10-13) Prominent, narrowly led from 5th, strongly pressed 4 out, headed before 3 out, regained lead 2 out, 3 lengths clear at last, drew clear on home bend, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Republican (12-2) by 12l, 7 ran.
