prominent, ridden and close up over 3f out, lost place over 2f out
led 5f, led again 12f out, headed over 5f out, lost place over 3f out
tracked leaders, challenged going well over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well
prominent, ridden 8f out, weakened over 6f out, tailed off
pulled hard, held up in touch on inside, not clear run over 3f out, ridden and no impression on leading pair 2f out, edged right and went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on same pace
prominent on outside, led after 5f, headed 12f out, soon lost place, well beaten final 8f, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed alongt briefly 7f out, ridden and close up over 3f out, outpaced by leading pair 2f out, 4th and one pace over 1f out
close up on inside, led over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, ridden 11f out, weakened 8f out, tailed off
MITCHELL'S WAY has made no impression in a couple of tries over fences since the turn of the year but was in decent form over hurdles last season, winning twice at Carlisle. Alan Swinbank knows what it takes to train winners on this surface and his charge should take all the beating in this. Silver Dragon disappointed on his latest start over timber but won at Uttoxeter in the autumn and hasn't many miles on the clock. He should give a good account while Paul Nicholls runs Sin Bin, who was second over hurdles at Aintree in October before being pulled up on his chasing bow at Taunton. Mauricetheathlete is a thorough stayer and may not have the pace for this.
Guanciale 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 5th, headed 6th, led again 7th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 25l behind Farbreaga (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Mauricetheathlete (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mainly towards rear, 8th of 13, 21l behind Rhum (11-0) at Ludlow 3m Am hcp ch 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Mitchell's Way 6-1 (11-2) In touch in rear, headway to track leaders 4th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 5, well behind Pinerolo (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy.
Oak Wood (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Led, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, well behind Top Billing (11-1) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Jan.
Picaroon 33-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 9l behind Caulfields Venture (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Ravens Secret 100-1 (11-12) Always behind, tailed off before 5 out, 10th of 14, well behind Top Billing (11-1) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Jan.
Silver Dragon 5-2fav (11-11) Towards rear, reminders 3rd, ridden 5th, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Crookstown (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Sin Bin (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Took keen hold chasing leaders, hit 6th, weakened 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Coole River (11-4) at Taunton 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
The Mobb (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Slowly away, took keen hold and soon in touch, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, behind when hit next, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Minella Reception (11-3) at Ludlow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Epee Celeste (FR) 33-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, took closer order 4th, led 6th, headed 5 out, weakened after 4 out, soon tailed off, 5th of 9, 43l behind The Last Bridge (10-8) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy.
