slow jump 1st in mid-division, went 3rd 4 out, jumped high 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after last
mid-division, lost place and mistake 8th, soon pushed along, ridden and still plenty to do after 2 out, stayed on well from before last, never nearer
prominent, led 8th, headed 4 out, pushed along home turn, gradually faded
handy, jumped well, led 4 out, going easily and drew clear from 3 out, ran on well, comfortably
mid-division, bad mistake 4 out, soon ridden and beaten
pushed along in rear after 4th, not fluent 7th, lost touch and pulled up after 9th
led, headed but remained close up 8th, pushed along and lost place after 4 out, hit 3 out, soon weakened
raced keenly in rear, bad mistake 4 out, soon pushed along, headway into 4th 3 out, ran on well after last, never nearer
Another open-looking contest but Romanor has been struggling to get his head in front in lesser company and Shiroccan Roll is also upped in class. Nietzsche has travelled down from the north-east and is eased in grade. He won off a higher mark last season but had a hard race in the Paddy Power last month. Master Work races off the same mark as when successful 12 months ago, when Glajou was only third, but has pulled up the last twice. Quoi De Neuf still has scope and might appreciate the slight drop in distance but NICKOLSON should have learned plenty from his second at Warwick and gets the nod.
Nietzsche 28-1 (10-5) Never travelled or jumped with any fluency in rear, tailed off when refused 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Nickolson (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd after 5th until 7th, left in 4 lengths 2nd place 4 out, stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Do Your Job (11-2) at Warwick 2m (3) gs in Nov.
Glajou (FR) 7-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, pushed along home turn, ridden before last, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Honneur D'Ajonc (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gf in Nov.
Quoi De Neuf (FR) 10-3 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and no impression 2 out, no extra and lost 3rd run in, 4th of 5, 8 3/4l behind Major Dundee (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Master Work (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Always in rear, pushed along 9th, ridden and weakened next, pulled up 2 out, at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Born In Borris (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, lost remote 3rd final stride, 4th of 5, 25 1/4l behind Hawthorn Cottage (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Shiroccan Roll 4-1 (11-12) Rousted along early, chased leader, led 5th, clear before next until 8th, pressed when left a few lengths clear 2 out, pressed again flat, holding 2nd towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Lucky Robin (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Romanor 5-1 (11-11) Held up, ridden before 3 out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Luckofthedraw (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
