chased leading trio, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, one pace and no impression when dropped to 4th before the last, regained modest 3rd in closing stages
jinked right ran out and unseated rider on bend after 2nd
held up, smooth headway after 3 out, 2nd before next, upsides last, led final 110 yards, ridden out and won going away
chased leading pair, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, went modest 3rd before the last until towards finish
led, slightly hampered by loose horse 4th, ridden headed and weakened before 2 out
raced wide tracking leaders, 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, joined last, slight advantage under pressure until headed and no extra final 110 yards
always in rear
jumped left, always towards rear, pushed along before 6th, tailed off
chased leader, hit 5th, lost 2nd 3 out, soon lost place and weakened
held up, pushed along and struggling in 6th after 3 out, never involved
Most of these can be given a chance so SEA WALL gets only a tentative vote. A winner at Lingfield, he would have finished closer to the winner when third at Wincanton if not for being hampered at the last on his latest start. Auvergnat's form in France is hard to assess on his debut for the O'Neill yard having ended last year with victories over hurdles and then fences at Fontainebleau but Winning Spark should go well again despite a penalty for a 10-length win over these hurdles. Abundantly also returned a clear winner over track and trip last time while Amanto and Rathealy are both going the right way.
Auvergnat (FR) (10-5) won at Fontainebleau(FR) 2m 2f 4yo chs hvy in Nov beating Amazone Du Lemo (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Sea Wall (FR) 11-4fav (11-8) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, headway before 2 out, chased leading pair soon after 2 out, keeping on same pace and 1 length down looking held when badly hampered last, no impression after, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Thundering Home (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Dusky Lark 33-1 (11-5) Prominent to halfway, soon behind, 5th of 7, 45l behind Jollyallan (11-8) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Amanto (GER) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, chased winner after 2nd until 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Aso (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Ar Mad (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, headway to lead 2nd, clear from 4th until 3 out, not fluent next, headed approaching last, weakened flat, finished tired, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Sugar Baron (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Winning Spark (USA) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, led 7th, clear 2 out, driven flat, stayed on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan beating Proud Times (11-8) by 10l, 15 ran.
Tingo In The Tale (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led until approaching 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along in 4th after 4th, soon dropped to 5th and weakened before 3 out, 5th of 16, 31l behind Souriyan (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Rathealy (IRE) 3-1 (10-5) Led and soon clear, hit 4th, went left 3 out, reduced lead when went badly left 2 out, already headed when went left again and bumped winner last, soon outpaced but kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Arabian Revolution (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Abundantly 9-4 (10-6) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, drew well clear before last, kept on, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Capilla (11-4) by 13l, 8 ran.
Shimba Hills 13-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, steady headway tracking leaders 4 out, chased leading pair travelling well approaching 3 out, went 2nd and hit last, no chance with winner run-in, lost 2nd final 75 yards, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Brook (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
