chased leaders, dropped rear 5th, soon tailed off
led to 7th, remained prominent until weakened 3 out
in touch, effort 3 out, soon no extra
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, one pace next
in touch, headway to chase leader 9th, ridden 2 out, stayed on well run in to lead post
close up, led 7th, ridden between last 2, headed post
always behind
With four entries, it appears David Pipe means business here but it shouldn't be forgotten that this is only a qualifier for the main event at Cheltenham in March and that race will be the target of both Ashkazar and Buena Vista, who has won the final for the last two years. Shoegazer and Decoy are both racing from out of the handicap proper as is Shoreacres, who came back to form when second at Ascot 10 days ago. DEIREADH RE is also carrying slightly more than his allotted weight but looked a progressive stayer when successful at Cheltenham. Harry Derham's claim negates the subsequent weight rise and Paul Nicholls' five-year-old can follow up here ahead of stablemate Indian Daudaie and Barwell Bridge, who may just need this.
Ashkazar (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, blundered 4th, weakened from 8th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Restless Harry (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl G2 (1) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Buena Vista (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Tracked clear leaders, close up after 5th, lost place 9th, soon behind, 17th of 19, well behind Poungach (11-4) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Indian Daudaie (FR) 9-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 9th, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 13l behind Invictus (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft.
Barwell Bridge 25-1 (10-8) Behind, headway after 3 out, ridden and stayed on to chase leaders approaching last, no impression, 6th of 23, 17l behind Buena Vista (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Deireadh Re (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Held up in last pair in touch, pushed along briefly after 7th, headway before 2 out, outpaced between last 2, 7 lengths down in 3rd and looked held when left 2nd last, ridden and stayed on to lead flat, won at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl G2 (1) gd beating Rev It Up (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Shoreacres (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Chased leader, led 3rd, clear 6th until approaching 2 out, ridden and went right 2 out, went right again and headed last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Our Father (11-11) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Lion On The Prowl (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear of mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 9th of 18, 18l behind Rangitoto (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
Shoegazer (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Raced keenly tracking leaders, mistake 4th, every chance 4 out, not fluent next, soon weakened, 8th of 18, 20l behind Arthurian Legend (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Decoy (FR) Evensfav (10-10) Led, not fluent and headed last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Featherbed Lane (10-11) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
