led to 2nd, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
held up in touch, headway 12th, pushed along before 2 out, kept on and lost 3rd place close home
close up, with leader 6th, led 7th, headed 8th, ridden before 2 out, no extra run-in
led from 2nd, headed 7th, led again 8th, stayed on well from 2 out
chased leaders, headway before 2 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on well from last
in rear, blundered 10th, weakened after 2 out
behind, mistake 11th, headway before 2 out, stayed on towards finish
Nonrunner
Ballabriggs continues his progress towards Aintree but appears unlikely at this stage to concede over a stone to Drumshambo, who looks certain to go well, and plenty of weight to MOLOTOF, who gets the vote. The selection, a Grade 2 novice hurdle winner, made a winning debut over fences at Taunton and ran well for a long way in the Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day. Drumshambo was carrying a 7lb penalty when landing Wetherby's Castleford Chase over Christmas and it will be a surprise if he's not in the mix along with Doeslessthanme, who has been performing with credit in strong company. Bocciani needs to improve again after scoring at Musselburgh on New Year's Day but can make his presence felt with his low weight.
BallaBriggs (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Prominent, blundered 11th, lost place 14th (foinavon), struggling 3 out, rallied on long run to 2 out, soon weakened and pulled up, in a race won by Hello Bud (10-0) at Aintree 3m 2f Listed hcp chs (1) hvy in Dec, 16 ran.
Doeslessthanme (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, under pressure after 4 out, soon no impression, 6th of 7, 47l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-7) at Sandown 2m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, left in lead 6th, headed 11th, blundered next, weakened 5 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Cape Tribulation (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Molotof (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, effort on outside 4 out, ridden before next, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 17l behind Dynaste (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Drumshambo (USA) Evensfav (11-12) Held up mainly in 3rd, went 2nd before 4 out, led next, hard pressed last, ridden flat, stayed on well towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) hvy in Dec beating Lease Lend (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Bocciani (GER) 7-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out, led narrowly next, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Jan beating Swift Arrow (11-6) by 7l, 7 ran.
Escort'men (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, effort 8th, pushed along in 5th and in touch when mistae, slithered on landing and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Saved By John (10-5) at Wincanton 2m Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (3) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Held up, mistake 3rd, hit 9th, mistake 15th, headway 4 out, 4th and beaten when hit last, last of 4, 28l behind Wayward Prince (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f Listed chs (1) sft in Dec.
