chased leaders, jumped right, outpaced 16th, jumped right and went modest 3rd 2 out, dropped to 4th flat
chased leaders, led 14th, clear 4 out, 10 lengths ahead 2 out, reduced lead flat, headed towards finish
led 2nd until 4th, slow 8th, led 13th, headed 14th, slow 4 out, lost 2nd next, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 11th, lost place 13th, well held 6th 15th, no impression
mid-division, headway 14th, not fluent 16th, went 2nd 3 out, still 10 lengths down 2 out, stayed on to close flat, led towards finish
held up in rear, not fluent 9th, pushed along 12th, well beaten from 14th, fell
soon behind and several slow jumps, tailed off 11th
led until 2nd, led 4th, headed 13th, weakened 15th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, lost place 4th, some headway 16th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression
chased leaders, slow 3rd and lost some ground, not fluent 6th, well beaten when blundered 15th, tailed off
held up towards rear, some headway on outside 9th, no impression, well beaten from 14th, plugged on flat
Keltus won a hunters’ chase at Stratford when last in action though Goodnight Charlie is a more recent winner with a victory at Fakenham on New Year’s Day. But FRISCO BAY finished a distance clear of the rest when going close over 3m here last time and it could be the turn of Jonjo O’Neill’s charge today. Dhowin was still well beaten when placed yet again at Wincanton last time while Smuggler's Blues is fitted with headgear on the back of an improved effort at Huntingdon.
The Dubai Way (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Raced in mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, kept on after 2 out, rallied after final fence, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Frenchy Du Large (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Dhowin (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 10th, not fluent 14th, nudged along next, third when mistake 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 12 1/4l behind Favori De Sivola (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Frisco Bay (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 2nd, briefly headed 13th, made most after, ridden before 2 out, joined last, hard ridden run-in, headed and found no extra inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Pemberley (11-12) at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Keltus (FR) 17-2 (10-10) Prominent 1st, soon lost place, 4th when not fluent 10th, slow 11th, jumped left 4 out, hampered 2 out, stayed on from final bend, close 2nd when left in lead last, pressed towards finish, held on well, won at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May beating Zamparelli (11-2) by nk, 7 ran.
Smuggler's Blues (IRE) 12-1 (11-13) Chased leaders, lost place and reminder under 4 out, outpaced well over 2 out, kept on same pace until ran on flat, took 4th final strides, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Lord Sparky (11-3) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Peur De Rien (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Held up, mistake 4th, pushed along and struggling in rear 5 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, 35l behind Esprit De Somoza (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Cadeau Du Bresil (FR) 28-1 (10-13) Always in rear, well beaten from after 10th, pulled up before 2 out, at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Goodnight Charlie 8-1 (11-7) Led, headed 12th, remained prominent, ridden and every chance 2 out, led again run in, gamely, won at Fakenham 3m 5f hcp (5) sft in Jan beating Summit Like Herbie (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Gats And Co 14-1 (11-12) Always in rear, not fluent throughout, struggling when pulled up before 3 out, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Nessfield Blue 9-4fav (10-8) Chased leader, headway to go 2nd 2 out, ridden to challenge last when mistake, pulled up after last, at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
High Counsel (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Held up at rear, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Grand Turina (11-10) at Warwick 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
