took keen hold, tracked leader until before 3rd, not fluent 6th, hit next, good headway to lead 3 out, went right next, came readily clear before last, easily
chased leading pair, pushed along after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with easy winner, just held on for 2nd
raced keenly, led, headed after 4th, led again before 3 out until 3 out, lost 2nd next, rallied to press for 2nd again close home, no chance with easy winner
always last, no chance from 5th, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3rd, led after next, already headed when blundered and weakened 3 out
Tatispout won at Southwell last month but soon lost interest at Newbury 12 days ago and has a mind of her own. Wester Ross has proved disappointing while Marshal Zhukov has plenty of weight and The Chazer could just lack a bit of sharpness having been off the track since June. Elenika would have claims on his win at Huntingdon and didn't run badly in a similar race at Newbury next time but the vote goes to CICERON. He was the best of these over hurdles and would have got closer to Act Of Kalanisi at Leicester last time had he not been hampered.
Marshal Zhukov (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, took keen hold, blundered 8th, rapid headway 5 out, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon beaten went right last, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Ackertac (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Ciceron (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, hampered 2nd, headway 7th, not fluent 2 out, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Act Of Kalanisi (11-0) at Leicester 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Elenika (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Prominent, joined leader 4th, every chance 3 out, weakened after next, lost 3rd closing stages, 4th of 6, 10l behind Parsnip Pete (11-0) at Newbury 2m 1f Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (4yo+) (3) sft in Nov.
Wester Ross (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Always behind, struggling when blundered 6th, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Stars Du Granits (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
The Chazer (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, blundered 8th, hit next, headway 10th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 9, 23l behind Nataani (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jun.
Tatispout (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Hgeld up behind, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Ulck Du Lin (10-2) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
