with leader, chased leaders in 4th on inner when fell 16th
led and took keen hold, going well when fell 17th
tracked leaders in 3rd, jumped right 6th, reminders approaching and hit 10th, went 2nd from 11th, hampered 17th, a close 2nd when badly hampered and fell 18th
held up towards rear, pushed along after 13th, weakened after next, left poor 2nd from 18th, no chance with winner
held up towards rear and raced wide, took keen hold, in rear from 6th, blundered 13th, weakened before 16th, left poor 3rd from 18th, never dangerous
held up in rear, jumped slow 1st, mistake 8th, headway 12th, jumped right 14th, mistake next, left in narrow lead 17th, left clear next, eased towards finish
This is probably SILENT CLICHE'S easiest task to date over the larger obstacles and Howard Johnson's seven-year-old, who stayed this trip over hurdles, is fancied to open his account. Radharc Na Mara has made the trip over from Ireland and Jim Dreaper's mare will probably appreciate the longer distance after finishing third over 2m4f on her debut under Rules at Limerick. Kalulushi is also stepped up in trip after finishing second over 2m4f here in November and is preferred to fellow points winner Riskier of the remainder.
Kalulushi (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Tracked winner early, tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 46l behind Carpincho (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Riskier 16-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 2 out, quickly weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Code Blue (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Silent Cliche (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Led to 2nd, tracked winner, not fluent 6th, ridden before 4 out, beaten from 3 out, lost 2nd after last, one pace, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Glenwood Knight (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Dec.
Mansonien L'as (FR) 100-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, mistake 2nd, lost place 4th, towards rear, blundered 9th, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 50l behind Glencree (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chase (4) gs.
Almond Court (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, blundered badly 3rd, weakened from 5 out, never dangerous, 4th of 6, well behind Captain Americo (11-0) at Newcastle 3m beg chase (4) sft.
Radharc Na Mara (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Led, headed and ridden after 3 out, no impression in moderate 3rd straight, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Gentle Alice (11-7) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs in Dec.