raced keenly, led 2nd, clear 6th to after 4 out, headed after next, soon weakened
mid-division in touch, headway after 4 out, ridden before next, upsides 2 out, soon led, stayed on well flat
mid-division, mistake 4th, lost place 6th, soon struggling, no danger after
led to 2nd, chased leaders, blundered and lost place 6th, struggling next, no danger after, tailed off
mid-division, in touch 5th, went 2nd 9th, led narrowly after 3 out, headed after next, soon ridden, no impression when lost 2nd flat
in touch, chased leader 6th to 9th, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no impression
mid-division, headway and in touch after 6th, lost place 8th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 7th, 4th and in touch when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
always behind, struggling 6th, tailed off
chased leader to 6th, lost place next, soon behind, tailed off
Kinkeel is the only one of these to have scored over the C&D but the veteran is still 2lb higher than for his last success a year ago. Roc De Guye landed a moderate event at Fakenham in good style and it was probably the 2m5f trip that hindered his progress last time. Original Prankster has yet to win at any level but looks to be getting closer judged by his run at Huntingdon on Boxing Day. Strathaird was having only his fifth start over fences when scoring nicely at Catterick on New Year's Day. He reverted to hurdles on this track three days later when runner-up to Johnny Owen and is looking reasonably treated nowadays. ESTEEM also finished runner-up to Johnny Owen last time and a line through the winner, though those runs came over hurdles, suggest David Evans charge is ready to gain his first success over fences.
Roc De Guye (FR) 14-1 (9-9) Always behind, 10th of 14, well behind Cootehill (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Dec.
Original Prankster (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, headway after 5th, not fluent next, chased winner 3 out, no impression from 2 out, 8 lengths down when mistake last, 2nd of 6, 6l behind The Laodicean (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Flichity (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Soon behind, struggling 7th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Ajzal (11-4) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec, 9 ran.
Lerida 20-1 (10-13) Led, headed 4 out, soon beaten, 4th of 8, 14l behind Strathaird (9-8) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Strathaird (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Prominent, chased winner from before 4th, blundered 6th, ridden before last, kept and always held by winner, 2nd of 8, 19l behind Johnny Owen (10-0) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Kinkeel (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd until after 5th, not fluent and lost place 7th, outpaced 3 out, rallied before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 7, 8l behind Star Galaxy (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft.
Rince Donn (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Always in rear, 6th of 8, well behind Strathaird (9-8) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Esteem 12-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders in chasing group, went 2nd before 4th, 5 lengths off winner 2 out, hung left flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Johnny Owen (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.
A P Ling 125-1 (9-12) Held up, hampered 4th, struggling 9th, pulled up before 11th, in a race won by My Faithful Annie (9-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft, 9 ran.
Penton Hook 8-1 (9-9) In touch, blundered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Strathaird (9-8) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 8 ran.
