held up behind, struggling 4 out, (usual 5 out), never involved
mid-division, struggling 14th, weakened 3 out (usual 4 out), tailed off
held up behind, stumbled after 10th, ridden after 4 out (usual 5 out), some headway under pressure after next, kept on same pace, never threatened leaders
made most, headed briefly when not fluent 8th, headed 12th, ridden after 4 out (usual 5 out), soon lost place, no impression after
with leader, led briefly 8th, led 12th to 14th, weakened 3 out (usual 4 out), tailed off when pulled up 2 out
in touch on outside, went 2nd before 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden and readily outpaced by winner bypassing omitted 3 out, plugged on same pace, no chance from 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out (usual 5 out), went 3rd approaching last, kept on, no chance with winner
always prominent, led 14th, drew clear bypassing omitted 3 out, in no danger after, eased flat, comfortably (first fence in home straight omitted on all circuits)
mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 4 out (usual 5 out), never pace to challenge, weakened from last
NonRunner
Marcilhac hasn't run for over a year and is 13lb higher than his last victory. Ask The Weatherman won nine of his 10 starts between the flags but pulled up in three starts over regulation fences early last year. He had wind surgery before reappearing with a victory over hurdles at Exeter in December and should make a bold bid back over fences. LIKE THE SOUND may have been a bit fortunate to win here last time as a rival fell when there with a chance but he came home well clear of the remainder and looks a chaser with potential to do better. Ballykan hasn't won since 2016 but has generally competed at a higher level and was placed in Listed company at Kempton a year ago.
Grand Vision (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, no impression after, well held 6th when mistake 2 out, 7th of 11, 18 1/2l behind Doitforthevillage (10-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Final Nudge (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, jumped right 11th, weakened before 5 out, pulled up after, at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Kerrow (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, not fluent 14th (water), well behind from 18th, pulled up after, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (1) gd in Dec.
Ask The Weatherman 6-1 (10-12) Raced quite lazily, made all, not fluent 1st, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 7f (4) hvy in Dec beating Shamilan (10-12) by 2l, 12 ran.
Like The Sound (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Led until narrowly headed 7th, chased leader, led again 3 out, left well clear next, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jan beating Len Brennan (10-9) by 18l, 9 ran.
Ballykan 5-1 (10-11) Held up in last pair, pushed along in 5th after 11th, left modest 4th and hampered at 14th, kept on run-in, almost snatched modest 3rd, 4th of 7, 33l behind Glen Rocco (10-2) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Quite By Chance 20-1 (10-9) Raced wide, always towards rear, behind 9th, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Cyrname (11-10) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Some Chaos (IRE) 9-4fav (10-10) Not fluent, tracked leaders, mistake 9th, jumped left 11th, mistake and outpaced 17th, blundered and weakened 4 out, 5th of 9, 36l behind Beware The Bear (12-1) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Overland Flyer (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) In rear, pushed along after 5th, reminder after 7th, losing touch and pulled up after 8th, at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Marcilhac (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Prominent, mistake 14th, led before 4 out, went right and untidy 2 out, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Relentless Dreamer (11-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
