jumped slightly right at times, led until after 8th, weakened before 3 out, fell last
chased leaders, steadied after 4th, closed 8th, went 2nd before 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, headed last, no impression towards finish
chased leaders, closed 4 out, challenged next, led last, stayed on well, clear close home
chased leaders, lost place 6th, driven and behind 7th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, outpaced after 8th, weakened 4 out
pressed leader, led after 8th, mistake and headed 3 out, soon beaten, stayed on same pace
Only Sportsreport, who won twice at Lingfield last season, has had the benefit of a recent run so has to go on the shortlist. Capisci impressed in lesser company at Huntingdon in August but hasn't been seen since. Topthorn is a course and distance winner but reappears off a 21lb higher mark. STRONGLY SUGGESTED hasn't even made the frame in six previous runs over fences but his last victory over hurdles came off a 12lb higher mark and this isn't the most competitive of contests. Jonjo O'Neill's charge is given another chance, though Regal D'Estruval could be a danger receiving weight all round.
Capisci (IRE) 5-4fav (11-9) Made all, soon clear, blundered badly 2nd, reduced lead 8th, kicked clear again 3 out, very easily, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Aug beating Rebel High (10-10) by 17l, 7 ran.
Sportsreport (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in last pair, mistake 3rd, rapid headway into 2nd before 8th, led before 4 out, blundered and headed 4 out, lost 2nd next, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, 37l behind Noble Friend (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Strongly Suggested 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden before last, one pace, 5th of 14, 9l behind Casino Markets (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Topthorn 14-1 (10-13) Led, clear 6th until approaching 8th, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, 32l behind Until Winning (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Imperial Plan (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Mistakes, chased winner, mistakes 3rd and 6th, blundered and lost 2nd 8th, chased leading pair, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 26l behind Pod (10-0) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Regal D'estruval (FR) 11-1 (11-1) Led, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 16l behind Un Anjou (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
