tracked leaders, challenged and every chance 2 out, one pace between last 2, soon ridden, no impression from last
tracked leader, driven and one pace in 3rd approaching 2 out, no chance with front pair after
mid-division, lost place 6th, soon behind, no danger after
tracked leader to 4th, in touch, hit 5th, weakened quickly after next, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
always behind, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, blundered 6th, driven and outpaced after 3 out, modest 4th from next
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 4th, led after 3 out, driven clear before last, stayed on well
led, headed after 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
towards rear, outpaced 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, never near leaders
always behind, lost touch 5th, pulled up before 7th
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before next
always towards rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off next, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
soon mid-division, driven and outpaced after 3 out, weakened from next
Paul Nicholls holds a strong hand with three entries. The Last But One hasn't shown much but ANCHOR MAN and Black Valentine certainly have. The former, an easy winner at Exeter in November, tackled Grade 2 company over three miles at Cheltenham last month and though eventually finishing last of six didn't weaken until the last. That looks better form than that of Black Valentine, a very easy winner between the flags before a narrow victory in a maiden hurdle over the course and distance. Catamaran Du Seuil has alternated between hurdles and fences in France and will probably do better when reverting to the bigger obstacles while Harry Fry runs two and the newcomer Dubh Des Champs has an excellent pedigree for jumping so is one to note.
Anchor Man (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) 2nd until after 3rd, chased leaders, hit 2 out, outpaced before last, well held after, last of 6, 11l behind Wholestone (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Black Valentine (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd from 3rd, not fluent 7th, outpaced before 2 out, rallied to lead last, edged left flat, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov beating Clondaw Shane (10-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
An Siltean (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Prominent, lost place 8f out, well beaten final 5f, 11th of 13, dist behind Cause Toujours (11-0) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Barney Boy 6-1 (11-7) Led til hdd aft 12; pu 14, at Larkhill 3m mdn gf in Apr.
Brother Norphin 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders and not fluent, weakened from 5th, pulled up before 2 out, tailed off, at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gf in Oct.
Brynmawr 25-1 (11-0) Mistakes in rear, well behind 7th, tailed off, 7th of 13, dist behind The Worlds End (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (3) gs in Dec.
Catamaran Du Seuil (FR) (10-7) 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Cobra De Larre (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 6f hcp gd in Oct.
Clondaw Westie (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 6f out until over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 15, dist behind Jenkins (10-10) at Newbury 2m (6) gd in Apr.
Detention 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 17 1/4l behind Asylo (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (6) gd in Dec.
Dubh Des Champs (IRE) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Aneda Dubh.
Gaelic Flow 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 4th, well behind after 3 out, 14th of 18, dist behind Movewiththetimes (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Dec.
Hanibal Lector (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Ld frm 8th, hdd 8th & mstks 5out & 4out in 2nd, wknd qckly bef 2out & to last when pu well aftr 2out, at Affane 3m mdn Yielding in Nov.
Robindenest (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Often jumped right, always towards rear, struggling when went right 5th and next, soon lost touch, mistake 4 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Buster Thomas (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Scrumpy Boy Apple Tree gelding out of Presuming.
Summer Getaway (IRE) 125-1 (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway after 3 out, 3rd before 2 out, stayed on, no impression on winner, 3rd of 16, 18l behind Strong Pursuit (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
The Last But One (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, blundered 2nd, ridden before 2 out, soon beaten, weakened flat, 6th of 16, 24 3/4l behind Strong Pursuit (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
