mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out, pressed leader last, soon led, kept on
always behind
mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, weakened before last
towards rear, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous
towards rear, mistake 1st, never a factor, pulled up
tracked leader, every chance before last, weakened run-in
tracked leaders, led after 5th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up
led, headed after 5th, led again before 2 out, soon headed and weakened
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, led before 2 out, headed run-in, no extra
close up, ridden and weakened before last
held up towards rear, ridden before 4 out, soon outpaced
Jonjo O’Neill runs two in this with Tedham, highly tried in novice events so far, making more appeal than Irish import Bhutan. Magoo quickly reverts to hurdles having fallen on his chasing bow at Sandown while Wallace Spirit is steadily improving. Wicked Willy was a good third last time at Cheltenham but may find this too short. Tight Call and Earlofthecotswolds are interesting stepping into handicap company but DARK EPISODE is even less exposed. The champion deserts Bradford Bridge in favour of the Leicester winner, who should have plenty more to offer.
Bhutan (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) In rear, slight mistakes 1st and 4th, pulled up quickly halfway, at Galway 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Magoo (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Chased winner, mistake 9th, disputed 3rd when stumbled and fell 11th, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Tedham 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, hampered after last, kept on well, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 5l behind Getaway Trump (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Kk Lexion (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, reminders after 5 out, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 8 1/4l behind Golden Jeffrey (10-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Wicked Willy (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Rear of mid-division, not fluent 8th, headway before 2 out, every chance last, stayed on, no impression on winner final 75 yards, 3rd of 12, 5 1/2l behind Aaron Lad (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Timoteo (FR) 50-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 8th of 10, dist behind Man Of Plenty (10-7) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Bradford Bridge (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly over 4f out, 9th of 14, 22 1/2l behind Darling Maltaix (11-4) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Wallace Spirit (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, mistake 3 out, led when not fluent 2 out, hanging badly left going to last and difficult to steer, saddle slipped on landing and headed, rider did well to stay on, still chance 50 yards out, 3rd and held close home, 3rd of 4, 1l behind Hidden Glen (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Earlofthecotswolds (FR) 2-5fav (10-12) Not always fluent, tracked leaders, driven after 2 out, went 2nd and 4 lengths down between last 2, ridden after last, rallied final 120 yards, led towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec beating Ain't My Fault (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Dark Episode (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Last pair, slow 4th, slightly hampered, left 3rd and outpaced 3 out, rallied to challenge next, rider dropped whip before last, led flat, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gf in Dec beating Skidoosh (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Marten (FR) 15-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 9th, mistake 11th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out, at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Tight Call (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Led and set decent pace, ridden after 3 out, joined when pecked 2 out, headed approaching the last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Kajaki (11-3) at Wetherby 2m (2) gd in Nov.
Gulshanigans 11-2 (11-8) Held up, headway before 2 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on under pressure into 2nd after last, never reached winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Rhythm Is A Dancer (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Gallic Destiny (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 2nd after 6th until next, 2nd again 4 out until before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Burn Baby Byrne (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
