prominent, hit 3rd, ridden and chased leaders after 13th, led 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from last
led, mistake 10th, headed and ridden 11th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, ridden approaching 13th, weakened 3 out
held up in mid-division, ridden 12th, headway 4 out, kept on from 3 out
chased leader, led 11th, ridden and headed after 13th, weakened when jumped last 2 out
held up in mid-divison, ridden 3 out, hampered 2 out, one pace
towards rear, ridden 13th, soon weakened
prominent, led after 13th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden and headway to chase leader 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up next
held up last, headway after 4 out, challenged 3 out, shaken up and led 2 out, ran on well from last
prominent, lost place 8th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 12th
A large field goes to post for this handicap chase but on closer inspection not many can be given a serious chance of winning and the principals look to be Magico, Nas Na Riogh and Black de Bessy and the vote is given to Magico. The selection won well last time when beating Kyper Disco and although that form has since been let down he remains on a handy mark and with his yard in form he is taken to win again. Nas Na Riogh rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Even Moore but she looks to have plenty of weight for what she has actually archived and at likely odds looks worth taking on. Black de Bessy was second behind Yardbird last time and is another with place claims but that form has since been let down and he will need to improve again to win off this mark. Of the remainder East Lawyer has the ability to go close and if he puts in a fluent round of jumping he will not be far away while Another Native ran as if the handicapper had caught up with him l;ast time and for the winner we return to Magico who looks well weighted on his best form.
Black de Bessy (FR) 5-2 (11-9) In touch, headway 4 out, led 3 out, hard ridden and headed close home, 2nd of 11, shd behind Yardbird (11-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec.
Biliverdin (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Mistakes, always in rear, tailed off from 16th, last of 6, well behind Scots Grey (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Nov.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Held up last, ridden 4 out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 6, 16l behind Lorient Express (10-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Dec.
Christopher 12-1 (11-0) In touch, headway 4th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 7l behind Schuh Shine (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Nas Na Riogh (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 6th, hard pressed from 3 out, ridden after 2 out, all out, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Even More (11-4) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Another Native (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Held up, headway 12th, hit 4 out, ridden after 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 10, 29l behind Lord Brock (11-2) at Haydock 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Kim Fontenail (FR) 10-3fav (10-8) Chased leaders, pushed along before 10th, outpaced and behind from after next, 5th of 9, 25l behind Duncliffe (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Dec '04.
Mighty Matters (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) In touch, joined leaders when mistake 3 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Towcester 2m 6f nov chs (E) gs in Dec beating Superrollercoaster (11-0) by 5l, 9 ran.
Magico (NZ) 5-4fav (10-11) Chased leader, led after 9th, headed 3 out, left in lead 2 out, kept on from last, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov chs (4) gs beating Kyper Disco (11-2) by 6l, 5 ran.
East Lawyer (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, badly hampered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Walcot Lad (9-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft, 7 ran.
Barren Lands 6-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 5th, ridden approaching 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Dangerousdanmagru (11-6) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy in May.
