held up in touch, not fluent 7th, ridden after 12th, mistake and outpaced from 4 out
held up in touch, led 7th, hit 10th, headed next, not fluent 3 out, soon beaten
prominent, not fluent 1st, ridden after 9th, outpaced from next, mistake 11th, soon well behind, pulled up after 4 out
led until 1st, tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 6th
led 1st until 7th, not fluent 8th, led 11th, drew clear after 3 out, stayed on well
Nonrunner
Fast ground was a valid excuse for the poor effort of DESPERATE DEX last time, but he'd finished third over these fences before that and is dropping down a grade today. Ferdy Murphy's charge gets the nod with the remainder struggling for form. Master D'Or has claims on December's third at Plumpton but he's been well beaten twice since, while Russellstown Boy has also been below par in a couple of starts since running into a place at Folkestone. Point-to-point winner Ruby Bay has failed to figure over timber so far but may do better now chasing.
Desperate Dex (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Towards rear, struggling 7th, never dangerous, 11th of 14, well behind Cootehill (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Dec.
Ruby Bay (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden and headway 4 out, outpaced by leading pair 3 out, 6th of 12, well behind Top Of The Range (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Que Vivo (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, driven along after 5th, never a factor, 15th of 17, well behind Kateal (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Russellstown Boy (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up, behind from 5th, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Drom (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Salut Honore (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 5th, not fluent 6th or next, headway 10th, hit 13th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Esteem (9-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs, 9 ran.
Master d'Or (FR) 25-1 (11-7) In rear, behind 10th, never in contention, 5th of 10, 33l behind Time To Think (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.