led, headed before 4th, tracked leader, ridden after 4 out, soon lost place
tracked leaders in 3rd place, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, led before 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, fell heavily 1st
in touch, went 2nd before 5 out, challenged 3 out, every chance before last, kept on and well held run-in
towards rear, headway after 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well run-in
always behind
EYESOPENWIDEAWAKE had been running in point-to-points before moving to current connections and starting with a victory over hurdles at Stratford followed by a debut success over fences at Kempton. He's up 5lb but is progressing fast enough to carry his big weight to victory. Bad Boy Du Pouldu was beaten just over a length in that latter event but is only 2lb better off and never really looked like catching the selection. Dual hurdles winner Cracking Find took a couple of races to warm to fences but made all and jumped well to score at Newcastle and has only gone up 2lb. Get Rhythm scored over timber at Bangor in June then made all to land a Ffos Las handicap on his chasing debut. He couldn't quite shake off Crievehill at Lingfield last month but is on the same mark and will take some catching. Celestial Magic is making his debut over fences but has battled on well for his two victories over timber so should make a chaser.
Eyesopenwideawake (IRE) 5-1jfav (11-8) Wore ear plugs, raced keenly, jumped well, made all, clear last, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Bad Boy Du Pouldu (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Cracking Find (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Made all, jumped well, quickened 4 out, driven when strongly challenged after next, left clear 2 out, ran on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating An Laoch (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Get Rhythm (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led after 3rd, pressed from 3 out, kept on well until headed and no extra final 110 yards, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Crievehill (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Celestial Magic 11-2 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed and mistake last, lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 6, 9 1/4l behind Generous Day (10-9) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Bad Boy Du Pouldu (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Chased clear leading pair, not fluent 4th, closed approaching 4 out, went 2nd soon after 3 out, no impression last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Eyesopenwideawake (11-8) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Nightfly 9-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next, soon eased, pulled up before the last, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Castletown (FR) 9-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led and came towards stands side after next, ridden after last, kept on until headed and no extra inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Chozen (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
