tracked leader 3rd, led after 4th, hit 3 out, ridden and came clear between last two, stayed on strongly
held up last, never on terms, tailed off when hit 2 out, pulled up soon after
led until after 1st, chased leader until 3rd, close 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, went 2nd again on inside turning in, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
raced wide in 3rd, led after 1st until after 4th, chased winner until pushed along turning in, no extra in 3rd
raced keenly, held up in 4th place,ridden and outpaced home turn, soon beaten
Winning chaser SOLDIER OF DESTINY has only run twice over hurdles before. If a recent fall at Wetherby hasn’t affected confidence, Jamies Snowden’s charge may just have too much for Mexico, who is nonetheless respected having placed in both starts this season. Val Dancer found plenty for pressure at Bangor but has to give 6lb to his rivals here.
Mexico (GER) 4-1 (11-0) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, ridden 3 out, chased leader 2 out, kept on but no match for winner, 2nd of 11, 8 1/2l behind Ginny's Destiny (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) sft in Nov.
Mulcair River (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 5f out, lost place over 3f out, hanging left and well beaten over 1f out, 7th of 8, 30 1/4l behind Favour And Fortune (11-0) at Southwell 2m (5) sft in Nov.
Soldier Of Destiny (IRE) 11-4fav (12-0) Led, not fluent 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, headed 3 out, second when fell next, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Stans The Man (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Chased leaders out wide, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 16, 32 3/4l behind Chianti Classico (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Bella Ciao 66-1 (11-2) Off the pace in last trio, tailed off and no chance when went badly left 2 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Felicie Du Maquis (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Val Dancer (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 5 out, ridden along before 2 out, kept on well flat, comfortably, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov beating Rockinastorm (11-0) by 5 1/2l, 6 ran.
Catuaba (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In rear, in touch, pushed along after 4 out, went 2nd and mistake 3 out, soon ridden, kept on but well held from 2 out, 2nd of 4, 19l behind Tommy Cullen (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f (3) gd in Dec.
