jumped left at times, chased leaders, not fluent 1st or 2nd, improved 9th, close 2nd when not fluent last, led flat, stayed on well
pressed leader, led 4th, mistake 3 out, soon headed, no extra 2 out
led until 4th, mistake 5th and 9th, led after mistake 3 out, driven from 2 out, headed flat, lost 2nd close home
held up off the pace in last, ridden into 3rd 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on, went 2nd close home, not trouble winner
NonRunner
HURRICANE HARVEY has struggled to make an impact since completing a double last winter but there was plenty to like about his latest run in a better handicap at Newbury. Moka De Vassy couldn't handle the step up in grade at Cheltenham but had done much better in his previous run at Exeter. Ballydisco's two victories have been at a lower level while Game Winner's last two runs have been over fences, though the latter's all-the-way victory over hurdles at Kempton would see him difficult to catch. King Of The Lake made a fair handicap debut at Exeter but he's never been anywhere near this far.
Moka De Vassy (FR) 10-1 (10-4) Raced wide close up, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, dist behind Buddy One (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Ballydisco (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) In rear, mistake 4th, pushed along before 8th, mistake next, pulled up before 10th, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Game Winner (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Prominent, hit 4 out and reminders, mistake in 4th 3 out, plugged on same pace, 4th of 9, 7l behind Morfee (10-10) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
King Of The Lake 7-2 (11-2) Prominent, dropped to rear before 4th, minor headway before 3 out where ridden, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace approaching last, 3rd of 7, 11 1/4l behind King Alexander (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Hurricane Harvey 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, headway next, stayed on to go 4th, run in, 4th of 12, 12l behind Ed Keeper (10-13) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
