mid-division, mistake and dropped rear 4th (water), lost touch and pulled up after 8th
in touch, effort to chase winner 4 out, soon ridden, kept on and every chance until one pace approaching last
led to 5 out, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out, pulled up next
mid-division on inside, mistake 13th (water), headway and effort 4 out, soon outpaced, 3rd and beaten when not fluent next, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place 6th, soon behind, weakened and pulled up before 10th
chased leaders, ridden and lost place 15th, soon behind, pulled up 3 out
mid-division, lost place 15th, soon behind, pulled up before 5 out
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 16th, no danger after
tracked leader, lost place 10th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up next
behind when mistake and unseated rider 6th
always behind
tracked leaders, went 2nd 10th, led 5 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well flat
mid-division, lost place 14th, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, no chance with leading pair
Nonrunner
NICTO DE BEAUCHENE is given another chance but decent cases can be made for a number of others including Scots Dragoon and Son Histoire. It was disappointing that Nicto De Beauchene didn't make a better fist of things at Lingfield last time but he has shown his best form in larger fields than he encountered there so it's to be hoped that he can show a little more here. He's 12lbs higher than when winning last year's renewal but is feasibly treated and may be able to follow up. Son Histoire has looked a thorough stayer over hurdles, a division in which he showed a reasonable level of form without winning. This test should suit for his chase bow but his jumping will be tested by some experienced rivals. Scots Dragoon has looked more at home over hurdles than fences thus far but he didn't run too badly last time and may just be a slow learner so he's considered. Freeze Up has claims on the pick of his efforts whilst Preacher Boy was a class act in his day and takes a drop in grade. Skipper's Lad should be involved but doesn't always find that much whilst the handicapper hasn't taken any chances with Lord Of The Road who races from the same mark as when he was last in action under Rules in 2007. Fine By Me finished second in the 2007 renewal of this race from the same mark as this year so he, too, enters the picture but preference is for Nicto De Beauchene.
Preacher Boy 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, hit 8th, lost place and never going after, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Scots Dragoon 7-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, left in close 3rd at 16th, took narrow lead on inside before 4 out, ridden between last 2, headed last, outpaced by winner run-in, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Shillingstone (11-3) at Newbury 3m 2f am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Freeze Up (IRE) 17-2 (10-8) Prominent, challenged 12th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 15, well behind Razor Royale (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Son Histoire (FR) 6-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 9th, soon ridden, closed on leading pair 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, challenged last, held when not much room last strides, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Sonny Mullen (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Rebel Melody (IRE) 9-2fav (10-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 16th, led 17th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 11, 32l behind Peut Etre Sivola (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) In rear, headway to track leaders after 11th, chased winner 13th, joined winner and looked to be going better 4 out, ridden next, outpaced by winner from 2 out, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Master Overseer (10-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy.
Irish Guard 12-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led 5th, slow next, narrowly headed when fell 3 out, in a race won by Free World (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Nov, 9 ran.
Maori Legend 14-1 (11-2) Chasing leaders when fell 8th, in a race won by Kawagino (11-6) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 8 ran.
Lord Of The Road 9-2 (12-5) Midfield when fell 7, in a race won by Whizzaar (12-5) at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp in Feb, 12 ran.
Ballygulleen (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 9th, ridden 5 out, soon no impression, 5th of 6, 44l behind Enroblim Trop (11-3) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Honour's Dream (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Led, ridden 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 10l behind Carrickmines (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Fine By Me (IRE) 15-2 (9-13) In touch, led 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, rallied to lead again towards finish, won at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft beating Tarquinius (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Treasulier (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Led to 12th, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 12, 27l behind Sir Winston (10-13) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Nicto De Beauchene (FR) 5-2 (11-8) Led, headed after 9th, remained with leaders, led again 14th, ridden and headed 3 out, every chance until approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Ballyfoy (11-11) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
