held up towards rear, outpaced 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, ran on well from last, went 2nd close home
chased leader, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching 3 out, hit 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, driven out from last
held up last, ridden mistake and lost place 4 out, weakened 3 out, jumped left 2 out and last
prominent, lost place and mistake 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from last
This may be a Nicholls one-two, with Cerium taken to get the better of stablemate Hors La Loi III, and Feel The Pride the one to give the pair most to do. Cerium was put in his place by Racing Demon in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown in December, but remains a young chaser of potential, and the decision to run here rather than return to the Esher track on Saturday can pay dividends. Paul Nicholls' five-year-old would have to race from out of the weights in the Victor Chandler in any case, and with both Albuhera and Armaturk pencilled in, today's event looks by far the best option, as at present he looks more capable of giving weight away to slightly inferior opposition rather than the other way round. Stablemate Hors La Loi III made a winning chase debut for his new yard at Taunton in December, but at the age of 11, the former Champion Hurdler does not have time on his side. Nevertheless, his class should enable him to figure, and he makes more appeal than Feel The Pride who shaped a bit better in first-time blinkers at Southwell, chasing home the in-form Green Tango. Serpentine Rock and Muhtenbar appear up against it, and the progressive Cerium is the one to beat.
Hors La Loi III (FR) 11-1 (11-12) In touch, chased winner 4th until approaching 8th, one pace from 4 out, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Justified (11-12) at Newbury 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Cerium (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4th to 3 out, outpaced by leading pair before 2 out, no chance and mistake last, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Racing Demon (11-10) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Dec.
Feel The Pride (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, chased winner approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Green Tango (11-7) at Southwell 2m nov chs (2) gs in Jan.
Serpentine Rock 15-2 (11-7) Chased leader, joined leader 4th, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Lorient Express (10-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Dec.
Muhtenbar 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 14, 23l behind Green Tango (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
