raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, 4th and one pace from 2 out
jumped well, made virtually all, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on same pace, well held before last
chased leaders, reminders and outpaced after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
never travelled in rear, hit 4th, tailed off when blundered 6th, pulled up before 4 out
well off the pace in last pair, never on terms
chased winner until 3 out, soon ridden and plugged on same pace in 3rd
chased leaders and wide, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off
OURO BRANCO returned to action after a very long break to score with something in hand at Catterick and though 6lb higher is still reasonably treated. Roxyfet, who is having his 99th start, scored for the 13th time in his career here last weekend and though that was over hurdles he's even better over fences so looks certain to get into contention. He was conceding 15lb when beaten just over 2l by Ripstick here on Boxing day and should turn the tables on these terms though the latter holds Frankie Ballou on that run and at Newcastle last week.
Ouro Branco (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Always prominent, went 2nd after 3 out, not fluent next, ridden between last 2, switched inside to challenge last, soon led, asserted clear flat, won at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Elixer (10-0) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Valence D'Aumont (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Held up behind, pushed along and not fluent 5 out, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Vocaliser (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Led 2nd, jumped left next, not fluent 10th, not fluent and headed 11th, weakened 4 out, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, dist behind Adman Sam (11-9) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Oregon Gold (FR) 13-2 (11-11) Led or disputed lead to 11th, lost place next, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, last of 6, at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Roxyfet (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, lost place 4th, headway on inside after 3 out, led before last, reminders and went clear flat, ran on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan beating Dolly's Dot (10-0) by 7 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ripstick 11-2 (10-8) Behind, headway 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind What's The Scoop (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Frankie Ballou (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Tended to jump right, led until 1st, led before 4th, headed 2 out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind What's The Scoop (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Agentleman (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 17, dist behind Wakool (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jan.