took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until before 6th, lost place next, well behind normal 4 out, tailed off
held up, closed when bumped 2nd, went 2nd normal 3 out, led off last bend, soon clear, stayed on
led, ridden and headed off last bend, stayed on same pace
held up, not always fluent, progress to dispute 3rd before normal last, no impression, well held and one pace on last bend
tracked leaders, jumped left and bumped 2nd, lost place after next, effort normal 4 out, one pace and no impression before last bend
held up in rear, headway normal 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leader until awkward 3rd, 2nd again before 6th until normal 3 out, weakened next
NonRunner
Most arrive out of form but DEISE VU finished runner-up over course and distance before blundering at the first fence at Southwell last time and unseating. Roy Brotherton’s charge gets another chance and should go close with clear round. Stormbay Bomber finished runner-up in that Southwell race but was still beaten 17 lengths and Mountain Chimes is preferred on a recent third at Bangor given that was his first start over fences and improvement is expected. Saffron Prince finished closer over these obstacles recently and also has a shout dropping down a grade.
Daylami Kirk (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Led, went left 1st, not fluent 6th, headed after 5 out, lost place when blundered next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Saffron Prince 40-1 (10-11) In touch, slow 4th, soon lost place, rallied after 2 out, no impression, weakened last, 4th of 7, 13 1/4l behind Lillington (11-9) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Deise Vu (IRE) 3-1cfav (11-10) With leader when hit and unseated rider 1st, at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Mountain Chimes 18-1 (11-9) In touch, headway chasing leaders and every chance when bumped 2 out, chased leader until the last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Ortenzia (11-6) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Stormbay Bomber (IRE) 3-1cfav (11-4) Left in lead 1st, headed 9th, ridden to chase clear winner 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Cillian's Well (11-12) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Anti Cool (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) Jumped right, tracked leaders on outside, led before 2 out, 2 lengths clear when went right again last, soon ridden, held on towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep beating Blake Dean (11-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Yourholidayisover (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, weakening when mistake last, last of 7, 23 1/4l behind Brother Bennett (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Paddocks Lounge (IRE) 66-1 (11-11) Led to before 8th, soon lost place and behind, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
