chased leaders on inside, pushed along before 3 out, ridden in 5th and beaten when fell 2 out
held up in last trio, steady headway tracking leaders and awkward 3 out, kept on run-in, never going pace to challenge
mid-division, headway chasing leaders before bit keen tracking leaders, went 3rd travelling well 3 out, close 2nd next, found little and held between last 2, held on for 2nd
bit keen tracking leading trio, went 2nd well before 3 out, led travelling well 3 out, ridden clear between last 2, awkward last, stayed on well
led, pushed along and headed 3 out, lost 2nd next, weakened
mistakes in rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out
chased leader until well before 3 out, weakened quickly, soon behind, tailed off
last pair, lost action and pulled up quickly before 5th
Theatre Legend is very consistent over hurdles and fences and finished runner-up from 1lb higher in this a year ago. Torigni went to Nicky Henderson after scoring in France last year but didn't run for the yard and has joined Harry Whittington. HAAFAPIECE (NAP) showed improved form last winter, completing a double at this level. He made too many mistakes on his comeback here last month though wasn't beaten far. Albert's Back completed a track and trip double back in 2017 and has been mainly confined to chasing subsequently, as has Saint Freule, while Multellie has won ten races including a couple over timber and can never be ruled out.
Theatre Legend 13-8fav (11-0) Chased winner who went clear after 2nd, hit 7th and 8th, never on terms, 2nd of 3, 13l behind Return Ticket (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Torigni (FR) (10-7) won at Dieppe 2m 1f sft in Jun beating Coco Fennel (10-3) by 4l, 14 ran.
Haafapiece 16-1 (11-2) Towards rear, awkward 4 out, smooth progress to challenge 2 out where mistake, pushed before last where slow, stayed on, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Anemoi (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Albert's Back 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, not fluent and lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and no chance with clear leaders after next, 5th of 8, 27l behind Protek Des Flos (11-4) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Multellie 8-1 (9-5) Just worse than midfield, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 12 3/4l behind Land Of Winter (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Saint Freule (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Jumped right at times, led, ridden after 8th, headed when fell 4 out, at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Ilaya (FR) 40-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, headway 5th, headway on outside 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 9, 8l behind Fransham (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Valentino Dancer 14-1 (11-10) Held up last, struggling 4 out, not a factor, 9th of 14, dist behind Kaizer (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
St Gallen (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Midfield in touch, travelled well after 3 out, bit short of room 2 out, soon ridden, weakened after last, 7th of 17, 22l behind Tegerek (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
