led, clear before 12th until joined 2 out, ridden and headed before last, one pace and no impression run-in, lost 2nd close home
took keen hold, tracked leader until 2nd chased leaders, went 2nd again 6th until 12th, pushed along when not much room bend before 13th, weakened 15th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leader 2nd until hit 6th and next, lost place 12th, rallied into 3rd 14th, went 2nd again and hit 18th, pushed along and dropped to 3rd before 3 out, driven and one pace before next, stayed on into 2nd again close home
soon lost prominent position, headway on outside chasing leaders 6th, reminder after 12th, weakened 15th, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th until 18th, chased leading pair, went 2nd again before 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, driven clear
in rear and not fluent, mistake 10th, hit 11th, mistake and struggling next, pecked 17th, went poor 4th before blundered 2 out, tailed off
Ballyallia Man made a winning reappearance at Wincanton but has taken an 11lb hike in the ratings and has never convinced over this longer trip. Flaming Gorge is out of sorts and Lambro has shown nothing since arriving from Ireland and was well behind Firm Order at Warwick in October. Coolking hasn't raced since second over a marathon trip at Exeter in March but can race off a lower mark and Harry Bannister rides this course well. HANDY ANDY ran in snatches when fifth at Cheltenham last time but is given another chance here with his yard in terrific form. He's jumped around Prestbury Park enough times to suggest he'll handle these tricky fences.
Ballyallia Man (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Led until 4th, left in lead 9th, clear 3 out, readily, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov beating Bertie's Desire (11-1) by 6l, 5 ran.
Flaming Gorge (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Led until 7th, chased leader until 15th, weakened rapidly, soon behind, tailed off 3 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Grandads Horse (11-12) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Handy Andy (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Mid-division, mistake 12th, blundered 15th, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 11, 22l behind Charingworth (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f am hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Lambro (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) In touch, disputed lead 10th to 12th, behind from 18th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Balthazar King (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gd in Nov.
Firm Order (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Prominent, led 7th, jumped right 10th, not fluent 12th, headed 13th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Wiesentraum (11-7) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Oct.
Coolking 9-2 (11-3) Led, not fluent 12th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, unable to get back on terms with winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Flying Award (11-7) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
