pressed leader, led 4th, not fluent 6th, headed and mistake next, ridden and one pace after 3 out
held up, not fluent 1st, pushed along after 5th, no chance with leaders from 7th
led until 4th, led 7th, headed 4 out, weakened well before 2 out, tailed off
mid-division on outside after 2nd, closed 5th, challenged 7th, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, easily
held up, closed 6th, blundered and unseated rider next
in rear, not fluent 5th, soon struggling, behind next, pulled up before 7th
mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway next, blundered badly and weakened 7th, mistake 8th, tailed off
prominent, mistake 1st, ridden and no impression on winner before 2 out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, outpaced from 7th, 4th and plugging on before 2 out, no impression
George Nympton could only finish sixth in this last year off the same mark but did return to winning ways on heavy ground at Uttoxeter last time, taking advantage of Massena's blunder two out to sweep by close home. The runner-up has won since so he can't be ignored but SEW ON TARGET will also handle conditions and looks better handicapped. This represents a big drop in class for Colin Tizzard's nine-year-old, who has won over this shorter trip in the past. Dolatulo won easily at Lingfield last month and Granville Island is only 4lb higher than when scoring at Haydock while Prince Of Dreams can improve on his third at Leicester. But Al Alfa's jumping remains a concern and Dunowen Point could do with some help from the handicapper. Dare Me hasn't raced since May.
Dolatulo (FR) 11-4 (11-8) Made all, hit 6th, drew clear after 3 out, unchallenged after, hit last, very easily, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Dec beating Knight Of Pleasure (11-9) by 18l, 7 ran.
Dunowen Point (IRE) 11-2fav (11-10) Led until 8th, led next, not fluent 11th (foinavon), outjumped and headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Rebel Rebellion (11-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Sew On Target (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Led, jumped left 8th, not fluent 11th, headed next, every chance approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression flat, 4th of 13, 14l behind Double Ross (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec.
Dare Me (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake and hampered 1st, went 2nd 5th, led before 7th, not fluent 3 out, ridden after last, headed on home bend, one pace, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Grey Soldier (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov chs (4) gf in May.
Prince Of Dreams 10-3 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 8th, headed 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Baile Anrai (11-9) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
George Nympton (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, rallied next, challenged last, led flat, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec beating Massena (11-4) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Granville Island (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Always prominent, every chance 2 out, led just after last, kept on well under pressure, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec beating Wings Of Smoke (11-9) by 2l, 6 ran.
Al Alfa 7-1 (11-1) Prominent, mistake 7th, led before 2 out, soon headed, one pace and no impression flat, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 16, 14l behind King Massini (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gd in Dec.
Nozic (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Led narrowly and clear with one other, clear advantage before 6th, headed 4 out, ridden and lost place before next, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 47l behind Wychwoods Brook (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
