held up in rear, headway 6th, challenged 11th, led 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, 1 length down when very badly hampered, jockey no chance and unseated rider last
held up in rear, blundered 4th and 8th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up in rear, ridden after 7th, headway 9th, jumped slowly 11th, weakened approaching 4 out, left poor 3rd last
held up, headway 5th, led and jumped left 9th, headed 4 out, remained challenging, closed to lead after 2 out, 1 length ahead when tried to refuse and unseated rider last
prominent, raced keenly, pecked 2nd, led approaching 7th, mistake next, headed 9th, no chance 3 out, left 2nd last, led flat, ridden out
led until after 3rd, reminders before next, gave up after 6th, soon behind
in touch, 3rd when mistake 3 out, well beaten before 2 out, left in lead last, headed flat, no extra
raced wide, prominent, took keen hold, led after 3rd, headed approaching 7th, struggling 12th, left poor 4th last
UNCLE ELI is taken to land this handicap chase at the main expense of Qualypso D'allier and Wasntme. Richard Rowe's 7-year-old does have an absence to overcome here but he put in an encouraging effort when last seen out in March. He chased home Suala's Legend that day and he does look to be on a competitive mark. He also has conditions to suit and if race fitness is not an issue for him then he can prove hard to beat. Qualypso D'allier has winning form in the point-to-point sphere and he is having only his third start over fences but he has been a bit disappointing so far and he will need to improve to get competitive. Colin Tizzard is in good form right now and Wasntme arrives here on the back of a successful effort last time out, but his two wins have both come on a soft surface and on that basis we will pass him over. Mr Ironman could be of interest if he is allowed an easy lead as he does like to race from the front. He could be an each-way player, but the vote goes to Uncle Eli.
Qualypso D'allier (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, mistake 3 out, 5th of 9, 41l behind Thedeboftheyear (10-5) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Thenameescapesme 2-1fav (10-9) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on same pace flat, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Onthegoagain (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f stks (5) gd in Oct.
Wasntme (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, led 14th until after 17th, regained lead 4 out, made rest, kept on gamely, won at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Oct beating Kiltimoney (10-5) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Led to 4th, chased leader, regained lead 10th, ridden, headed before last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Sula's Legend (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Wide Receiver (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, led 8th, headed after 9th, in 5th and held when badly hampered 2 out, 5th of 14, 35l behind Might As Well (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Arceye 8-1 (10-0) Held up, headway approaching 8th, pushed along after 10th, weakening when mistake 14th, 7th of 11, 42l behind Lucky Luk (10-13) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Auditor 12-1 (10-0) Led, headed approaching 9th, soon lost place, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Jacarado (10-3) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Mr Ironman 14-1 (10-8) Always in rear, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Ilewin Tom (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gf in May, 13 ran.
Kercabellec (FR) 14-1 (9-7) Raced keenly, led after 1st, headed before 7th, remained prominent, hampered 11th, mistake and weakened 3 out, 6th of 13, 21l behind Jacarado (10-13) at Towcester 3m hcp 0-90 (5) gf in Oct.
