held up and off the pace, good headway 8th, chased winner soon after 3 out, no impression on long run to next
chased leader until weakened rapidly 8th, soon tailed off
chased leading pair until weakened quickly 8th, soon tailed off
behind, poor 6th when blundered and unseated rider 10th (3 out)
held up in 4th and off the pace, good headway to track leader 8th, led 10th, (3 out), soon in command, stayed on well (no time taken)
soon well in rear, blundered 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
always in rear, well tailed off 7th
soon well off the pace in 5th, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 7th
soon well in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
soon well off the pace in 6th, tailed off when blundered 7th, pulled up before 9th, (4 out)
led until blundered and headed 10th, (3 out) soon lost 2nd and weakened, finished tired
RILEYEV is given another chance as few come into this in any sort of form; One Cornetto and Aboukir Bay form a nominal shortlist. It would have been reasonable to have expected a little more from Rileyev on his chase bow given that he's bred to jump fences but he's unexposed and may be able to step up on that form. Aboukir Bay steps down in trip for his third start over fences and could get involved if his jumping holds up as he was still in contention when falling last time. One Cornetto may have found the run coming too soon when disappointing at Plumpton and isn't badly handicapped on the best of his old form despite being 3lbs higher than when beaten last time. Mon Chevalier ran fairly well on his chase bow and faces a more realistic task in handicap company, Legal Glory was entitled to need his reappearance, Prince Massini is on a fair mark and Alfatrix could go well if the headgear works in an open race but Rileyev is the hopeful pick.
Mon Chevalier (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, left moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 25l behind King's Forest (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chase (4) gs.
Rileyev (FR) 3-1 (11-3) Led to after 4th, tracked winner, ridden and lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 13l behind King Brex (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
One Cornetto (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Held up in touch, headway 10th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 34l behind The Hardy Boy (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Legal Glory (IRE) 28-1 (11-8) Held up, mistake 7th, blundered 10th, soon weakened, 7th of 10, well behind Senor Shane (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Holmwood Legend 50-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 18, 38l behind Rebeccas Choice (11-1) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Prince Massini (IRE) 40-1 (9-11) Always in rear, struggling approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind The Rainbow Hunter (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Call Me Sam (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 5th, soon steadied, 8th when blundered 10th, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by King Jack (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft, 12 ran.
Alfatrix (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Chased leader until after 5th, hampered and lost place 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 13th, in a race won by King Jack (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft, 12 ran.
Wasntme (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, reminders after 7th, weakened quickly, pulled up before next, in a race won by Brushford (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
King Raven (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off 5th, 7th of 14, 35l behind Star Galaxy (10-5) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Aboukir Bay (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Prominent, hit 3rd, disputing lead when fell 9th, in a race won by PonchaTrain (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-95 (5) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
