chased clear leading duo, close up going well before 2 out, challenged and disputing lead from 2 out, narrow lead and hit last, soon pressed, driven and kept on gamely under pressure to assert last strides
soon well off the pace in 5th, mistake 3rd, never going pace to get involved, tailed off
led, strongly pressed when pecked on landing and headed 2 out, every chance last, rallied gamely from last and upsides flat, just failed
pressed leader, ridden 4 out, disputing lead 2 out, still every chance last, weakened flat
chased leading trio and off the pace, never on terms, no chance when mistake 4 out, tailed off
always in rear and well off the pace, struggling throughout, tailed off and no chance when fell 2 out
Nonrunner
Neil Mulholland's I'M A LEGEND is bound to be popular with backers having won his last two starts in races at Exeter and here over 2m5f and he can complete the hat-trick. Potemkin may struggle under the penalty for his win at Ffos Las as may Colin Tizzard's Inside Dealer, who has 7lb extra to carry after his victory at Hereford. Brendan Powell's Morestead seems a shade high in the handicap at present and of more interest may be Tim Vaughan's consistent Betabob, who has his first start in this grade since joining current connections from Ireland. Ludlow winner Pistolet Dove has claims but a 5lb rise for that victory makes this tougher and it may be that I'm A Legend can win again.
I'm A Legend 7-2 (11-9) Held up in last pair, steady headway from 9th, tracked leader soon after 13th, upsides 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, driven and kept on flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Kylenoe Fairy (10-13) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, not always fluent, headway 3 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 12, 20l behind Deuteronomy (10-4) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Inside Dealer (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Led until 3rd, led 8th, headed 3 out, soon led again, gaining command last, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Mud Monkey (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Morestead (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Led or disputed lead until went on 5th, mistake 11th, soon headed, ridden and outpaced 13th, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 7, 48l behind Victory Surge (11-1) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
January 7-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, chased leaders 3 out, 4 lengths down in 4th and held when fell last, in a race won by Qianshan Leader (11-4) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct, 8 ran.
Beauchamp Viking 13-2 (11-0) Behind, headway to go 4th after 4 out, left 3rd when hampered next, soon went 2nd, stayed on flat, not able to reach winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Guns of Love (10-5) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Potemkin (USA) 16-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, chased leader after 9th, mistake 4 out, led next, soon driven, stayed on strongly, won at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (3) gs beating Chain Of Command (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Pistolet Dove (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, went 4th 7th, switched right when closing 4 out, close 3rd last, led flat, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct beating Papradon (11-0) by nk, 8 ran.
Betabob (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch on inside, tracked leaders when hit 6th, chased leading pair approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance when chased winner after last, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Clu Agus Cail (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
