led, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last
pulled hard, held up in last pair, pushed along after 3 out, went 2nd and every chance last, no extra last 100 yards
tracked leading pair and travelled well, switched left before 2 out, led approaching last, soon joined, ran on to assert last 100 yards
held up in last pair, last from 3rd, outpaced 6th, headway 2 out, hung left and plugged on into 3rd run-in, no chance with leading duo
tracked leader, mistake 3 out, pushed along to lead approaching 2out, ridden and headed before last, weakened run-in
STYLE DE GARDA, a dual hurdles winner and runner-up in the Fred Winter, only had two to beat on his chasing bow at Hereford but did it in style. He returned there last month and started odds-on but reared at the start and veered onto the wrong course. It's a surprise to see him back over hurdles but has the quality to win this if he behaves himself. Gwalia went up 9lb for winning a course and distance handicap but still managed a very fair run on a return visit last month though he's up another 2lb. He still looks better than stable companion Voodoo Doll, who completed a hat-trick on summer ground but ran poorly at Leicester last time. Not That Fuisse completed a double in May and was staying on over 2m1f at Cheltenham last time while Totterdown beat a big field in a Sandown handicap in November though his form is on heavy ground.
Totterdown 7-1 (11-9) Led, challenged 2 out, headed soon after, not fluent last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Man Of Plenty (10-7) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Style De Garde (FR) 8-13fav (10-13) Whipped round start and ran out, refused to race, at Hereford 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Not That Fuisse (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, effort on outside 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on flat, finished well and took 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Al Dancer (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Voodoo Doll (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 5, dist behind Cotswold Way (11-7) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Dec.
Gwalia (IRE) 7-4 (10-10) Led, went clear 2 out, joined and hit last, ridden and edged left run-in, headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Beltor (11-3) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
