held up behind, outpaced 4 out, kept on under pressure from next, took beaten 4th flat, never near leaders
hit 1st, in touch on outside, dropped rear 5th, lost touch next, tailed off when jumped left 4 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, challenged next, led briefly approaching 3 out, led next, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra flat
tracked leader to 6th, remained in touch, outpaced in 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure to lead flat
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, joined 7th, ridden and headed briefly approaching 3 out, headed next, kept on and every chance until blundered last, no extra flat
held up towards rear, chased leaders 3 out, 4 lengths down in 4th and held when fell last
chased leaders, pushed along 6th, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace, left beaten 4th briefly last, no impression
Nonrunner
AGENTE ROMANO is narrowly preferred to the dangerous front-runner Woodlark Island. Evan Williams' gelding has won here before and he ran with promise at Ffos Las earlier in the month. His mark has actually been dropped by 4lbs as he heads back into handicap company and a bold bid is expected. Woodlark Island is up to a mark of 118 but he was a tad unlucky to bump into a well-handicapped (and teed-up) rival at Exeter and he should not be given too mcuh rope from the front today. January didn't find too much for pressure at Kempton behind David Pipe's runner, Qianshan Leader remains capable of better but he might need longer, whilst King Brex was very easy to back over hurdles at Huntingdon but is of more interest today over fences despite a suspect attitude. Chrysander (with a tongue-tie) and Mibleu, after a decent enough run at Stratford, are others for close consideration.
Mibleu (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Chased clear leaders, closed 6th, chased winner after 3 out, no impression last, 2nd of 6, 19l behind Quito Du Tresor (11-9) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
King Brex (DEN) 7-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, in 4th approaching 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, in 6th when pulled up before last, in a race won by Cruchain (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd, 11 ran.
Rockiteer (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, driven after 11th, 6th 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 33l behind Sir Ian (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sep.
Qianshan Leader (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, hampered 1st, headway 4out, chased leaders after next, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 29l behind Basoda (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Agente Romano (USA) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, disputing close 3rd when blundered 4 out, held after, mistake 2 out, 4th of 7, 20l behind Cappagh (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Woodlark Island (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) With leader, led 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 4l behind I'm A Legend (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
January 12-1 (11-7) In touch, headway 4 out, chased leader 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Woodlark Island (11-3) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Red Jester 14-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 32l behind Frosted Grape (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Sep.
Chrysander 11-2 (11-12) Led, not fluent 4th, ridden, leaning left and bumped into rival approaching 2 out, headed when not fluent last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Rebel Dancer (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
