chased leaders on inside, led 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat
held up in rear, jumped right 2 out, stayed on flat, almost took 3rd, never on terms
chased leaders, jumped right 9th, outpaced 2 out, weakened before last
prominent, not fluent 5th, led 7th, headed 9th, every chance when mistake 2 out, weakened before last
led until before 5th, stayed handy, not fluent 3 out, weakened next, pulled up before last
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, led before last, soon headed, stayed on, held close home
in rear, not fluent 1st, slow 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led before 5th, headed 7th, led 9th until 2 out, weakened before last
held up in mid-division, mistake 9th, headway and switched right after 2 out, led last, stayed on, driven out
Nonrunner
BOLLIN LINE has a victory over fences to his credit but has improved markedly over hurdles and completed a hat-trick when successful at Ludlow. He's now on a 13lb lower mark over the bigger obstacles so has an obvious chance. Rhythm Of Sound gained his first victory in 17 starts when romping away with a Leicester handicap chase last week but that was on very fast ground which he won't get here. Sky Full Of Stars completed a double in the spring but has been out of form lately and is still higher in the weights. Bandol has won around here and would have a fine chance if getting round safely, though he has almost as many letters as numbers in his form figures.
Sky Full Of Stars (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, unseated rider 1st, at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Bollin Line 5-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, edged left flat, clear towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Mullaghmurphy Blue (11-4) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Bandol (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) In touch, headway after 4th, kept on from over 2f out, 4th of 16, 10l behind Lucarno Dancer (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Ulis De Vassy (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Not always fluent, mid-division, lost place before 10th, behind when pulled up before 12th, at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in May.
Roll Of Thunder 200-1 (11-3) Led until 9th, chased leaders, weakened 12th, tailed off and pulled up approaching 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 3f (4) gs in Oct.
Roxyfet (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Indian Voyage (12-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Captain Sharpe 33-1 (10-1) Always behind, tailed off from 11th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, dist behind Knocknamona (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Duhallowcountry (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, driven and lost place after 4 out, weakened from next, 6th of 8, 22 1/4l behind John Williams (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Rhythm Of Sound (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, went 2nd 3 out, led last, clear flat, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m hcp (5) gf in Nov beating No No Cardinal (10-13) by 6l, 9 ran.
Monbeg Cave (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Always last, jumped left and pushed along 7th, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, went left final 3, last of 4, 28l behind Barrys Jack (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp (4) hvy in Sep.