held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 14th, pushed along in 3rd before 4 out, went modest 2nd at the last until post
held up in rear, reminders after 11th, headway on outside chasing leaders 15th, hit 16th, 5th when blundered and pecked next, weakened 2 out
chased leader, led 3rd, made rest, clear when hit 2 out, stayed on strongly
mid-division, headway chasing leaders when not fluent 10th, pushed along before 4 out, soon outpaced, plugged on in modest 4th 2 out
always towards rear, last pair and struggling 15th, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened 17th, tailed off when went left 3 out
behind, reminders after 8th, struggling 13th, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, ridden before 3 out, chance when awkward 3 out, well held next, lost modest 2nd last, went 2nnd again post, no chance with winner
chased leaders, mistake 4th, weakened before 14th, tailed off
led until 3rd, chased leaders, weakened 12th, tailed off when blundered badly 15th, jumped badly left 3 out, soon pulled up
NonRunner
Captain Buck's gets a change of headgear attempting to end a long losing run but Kilfinichen Bay scored at Sedgefield last month and should go well again. Cucklington landed a double over course and distance earlier in the year and is not out of this but One Of Us disappointed at Uttoxeter last time having finished runner-up at Kempton. Max Forte has failed to complete in both previous starts over fences but PERFORM showed signs of a return to form when fourth at Sandown recently. This looks no tougher and with further progress expected on only his fifth outing over the larger obstacles, Philip Hobbs’ charge gets the vote.
Perform (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 16th, went 2nd after 3 out (usual 4 out), soon challenged, every chance when hit 2 out, no extra last, lost 3rd closing stages, 4th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Mendip Express (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Captain Buck's (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Behind, headway 12th, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 29l behind Reikers Island (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Potters Corner (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, disputed lead 11th, hit next, blundered 16th, lost place after 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden and weakened before omitted 3 out, tailed off when pulled up next, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Kilfinichen Bay (IRE) 9-4 (11-11) Made all, mostly jumped really well, 5 lengths clear 2 out, ridden out, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Captain Mowbray (11-12) by 4l, 4 ran.
Max Forte (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) With leader, lost place 4 out, outpaced when hampered next, beaten 2 out, 12th of 23, 21 1/2l behind Palmers Hill (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Robinroyale (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up, never dangerous, 10th of 14, dist behind Glen Forsa (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Cucklington 7-1 (10-9) Soon in rear and never travelled, headway into 5th place 4 out, went never nearer 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Diplomate Sivola (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
One Of Us 3-1 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 13th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 10, 29 1/4l behind Crosspark (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Bears Rails 7-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along and not travel well from after 4th, lost place 10th, behind from next, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Mortens Leam (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Conas Taoi (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, under pressure before 3 out, no impression, 8th of 14, dist behind Bandon Roc (11-9) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
How's My Friend 25-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, slow 8th, lost touch 10th, tailed off 6 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Burgess Dream (10-1) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
