took keen hold, led 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied approaching last, stayed on flat
led in start, led to 2nd, dropped rear 5th, no chance from 7th
held up in last, went 3rd 5th, took narrow lead 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat
took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led approaching 3 out, headed narrowly 2 out, still upsides last, no extra flat
took keen hold, in touch, hit 5th, not fluent next, soon pushed along, no chance from 7th, tailed off when blunder 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Disappointingly just the six runners line up for this handicap chase headed in the weights by Marodima, who showed a decent level of form in novice chases last term, made a pleasing seasonal reappearance at Limerick in October and the Rebecca Curtis-trained gelding has solid claims but preference is for KINGHAM, who gets the nod over Coach Lane. Venetia Williams has her string in good heart but her runner would need to improve on recent showings to trouble the judge so he looks best watched despite having been given a chance by the handicapper. Sue Smith's Ela Re has given little sign of encouragement in four outings this term, while Billiesey has been well held in his three starts this season and he too looks best left out of calculations. Ferdy Murphy's Tidal Fury has seemingly lost his form and is another that has been well held in all starts this term and a better bet looks to be Kingham. The nine-year-old was a comfortable winner at Catterick last time and although raised 12lbs for that success, he still looks open to improvement after just six starts under National Hunt rules, and he looks the one to be on.
Marodima (FR) Evensfav (11-9) Led and clear, hit 3rd, slight mistake 5th, reduced lead 3 out, headed into straight, no impression in 3rd and kept on same pace from between last 2, 3rd of 6, 25l behind Finger Onthe Pulse (11-1) at Limerick 2m 1f chs Grd 3 sft in Oc.
Ela Re 25-1 (11-1) Soon with leader, led after 4th, headed 5 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 18l behind Issaquah (10-10) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Tidal Fury (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) With leaders, ridden approaching 5 out, weaking when hit 4 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Santa's Son (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs (2) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Kingham 12-1 (10-12) Made all, ridden 2 out, drew clear last, readily, won at Catterick 2m nov chs (4) sft in Jan beating Cash Man (10-9) by 9l, 7 ran.
Billesey (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Prominent, lost place 6th, well behind 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Fresh Air And Fun (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Coach Lane 14-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, reminders after 5th, soon struggling, 7th of 15, well behind Almaydan (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
