always in rear
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, narrow leader 11th, ridden 2 out, pecked last, held on
tracked leaders, led briefly after 10th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, switched left approaching last, ran on
led and clear, headed and weakened after 10th
in touch, ridden 11th, weakened next, toiling when fell last
held up, headway 10th, ridden 3 out, every chance last, no extra close home
tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, ridden when mistake 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
always in rear, behind when pulled up before 4 out
Ladalko gets the call over Tamango, with Black de Bessy and East Tycoon worth noting. Ladalko was the best of these over hurdles, and although his previous sorties over fences have not yielded much, it has to be remembered that he is still only a six-year-old, and connection believe that in time he will make up into a leading staying sort. Sent off as favourite at Market Rasen last month despite being in need of the outing, he was a creditable third, and if he can just brush up his jumping, then this potentially well handicapped sort can pay to follow. Tamango is held on Market Rasen form, but his stable is in good heart, and he makes more appeal than East Tycoon who was further behind at the Lincolnshire track. Black de Bessy's chance will be highlighted by a good run from Croix de Guerre in the race prior to this, but Ladalko has strong claims if getting his act together, and although he could do with a bit of give in the ground, he is the one with the most potential.
Fontanesi (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Held up in mid-division, hampered 10th, no impression, last of 16, well behind Tamango (10-7) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Aug.
East Tycoon (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up mid-divison, weakened from 4 out, 7th of 13, 36l behind Little Big Horse (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Sept.
Tamango (FR) 15-2 (10-10) Held up, headway 4 out, hit and left 3rd 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 22l behind Little Big Horse (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Sept.
Ladalko (FR) 7-4fav (10-1) Held up in mid-divison mistake 10th, stayed on from next, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Little Big Horse (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Sept.
Xellance (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 17, 13l behind Rooftop Protest (9-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Sept.
Black de Bessy (FR) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led going well approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Sept beating Croix De Guerre (11-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Nephite (NZ) 10-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Danish Decorum (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gf in Jun, 13 ran.
Three Days Reign (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Always behind, struggling 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Longshanks (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Jan.