chased leaders until lost place and in rear when hit 9th, rallied and staying on in close 3rd when fell 3 out
held up in rear well in touch, smooth headway to track leaders 11th, 2nd 4 out, hit 3 out, led and edged right before last, came clear and jinked right towards finish
close up in 5th on inside, pushed along 12th, outpaced 4 out, staying on again when blundered and left 4th 3 out, went 3rd flat, no chance with leading duo
took keen hold, close up in 4th, ridden and left 3rd 3 out, no chance with leading duo, lost 3rd flat
took keen hold, close up in 4th, went 2nd 9th, led 11th, ridden and headed before last, one pace flat
led, joined 9th, headed 11th, weakened 13th, tailed off
chased leader, slow 4th, dropped to 3rd 9th, challenged 13th, weakened under pressure before 3 out
Nonrunner
SQUADRON will almost certainly be suited by this longer trip over fences and can go one better than when beaten a length-and-a-half by Osric at Ffos Las last month. Shakalakaboomboom's dam stayed 3m so Nicky Henderson's Kempton winner has to be respected, while Triggerman ground his rivals into submission over 3m1f at Folkestone last time and is sure to make this a good test of stamina. Inside Dealer is in good form but takes on stronger opposition now, while Carrickboy has disappointed since finishing second to Royal Charm on his fencing bow at Exeter. Gee Dee Nen has also struggled of late so Earth Planet could be the pick of the remainder in first-time blinkers.
Triggerman 9-2 (11-1) Held up in touch, headway to challenge 13th, led next, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and edged left approaching last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec beating Misstree Dancer (10-5) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Jumped well, led 2nd, made rest, in command 3 out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov beating Calusa Caldera (11-1) by 7l, 6 ran.
Squadron 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, jumped right and headed next, soon hard ridden, rallied flat, kept on well, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Osric (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 3f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Earth Planet (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Towards rear, headway 12th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 15l behind Rustarix (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Inside Dealer (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led before 4 out, clear before last, kept on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec beating Stradbrook (11-2) by 12l, 13 ran.
Gee Dee Nen 12-1 (11-8) Led, not fluent and headed 10th, ridden approaching next, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 5, 38l behind Bouggler (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
Cullahill (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Behind, mistake 3rd, fell 7th, in a race won by Minella Boys (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs, 14 ran.
Carrickboy (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistake and dropped towards mid-division 4th, chased leaders under pressure when not fluent 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 15, 31l behind Only Vintage (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
