tracked leaders on outside, hit 6th, effort and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on until no extra after last, no impression flat
mid-division, in touch when hampered 5th, outpaced after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, effort between last 2, chance last, ridden and kept on flat, held by front pair towards finish
led narrowly until blundered and unseated rider 5th
chased leaders, switched outside approaching 5th, lost place briefly 7th, reminders after next, behind from 10th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
with leader, left in lead 5th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on until no extra when hard pressed towards finish, headed post
held up behind, mistake 4th, struggling and reminder before 12th, weakened 3 out, pulled up next
tracked leaders, hampered 5th, ridden and one pace after 3 out, weakened last
mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off
mid-division, in touch 6th, driven after 3 out, ridden after next, went 2nd and every chance last, stayed on under pressure flat, led post
The admirable Baileys Concerto beat subsequent Sedgefield winner Distime over track and trip in October and is chasing a six-timer over fences and hurdles. But he's gone up another 8lb since his latest success at Musselburgh and maybe this is the time to take him on. Our Mick ran in snatches when second here in October but still finished ahead of Quito Du Tresor and Dineur. Donald McCain's grey is throw in on his best form but rarely runs two races alike. BIG CASINO has been struggling to get home over longer trips lately so should do better here. He's only had four runs over the larger obstacles so there may be more to come and he's getting plenty of weight from the disappointing Carrickboy and Kings Grey.
Carrickboy (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Always behind, weakened 5 out, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Sound Investment (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Kings Grey (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, lost touch 9th, soon tailed off, pulled up before last, in a race won by Fair Dilemma (11-0) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Jul, 7 ran.
Baileys Concerto (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) Tracked leaders, blundered 6th, closed 11th, hit 4 out, led next, not fluent 2 out, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov beating Robbie (11-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Galway Jack (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) In lead after 7th, reached for 13th, headed before 5 out, chased leader until driven 3 out, 3rd and well held when weakened to 4th approaching last, 4th of 6, 11l behind Savant Bleu (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Apr.
Our Mick 8-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, pushed along 5 out, headway and ridden before 2 out, left 2nd after last, one pace, 2nd of 9, 17l behind Lamool (10-13) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Dineur (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 38l behind Lamool (10-13) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Distime (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, soon clear, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov beating Master Rajeem (11-6) by 7l, 9 ran.
Big Casino 9-2 (11-2) Prominent, mistake 16th, carried left before 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 9, 23l behind Gorsky Island (11-5) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Close up, went 3rd 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Rockawango (10-6) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
Bincombe 5-2 (11-12) Pressed leader, led 4th, jumped left 6th, jumped left 9th, cocked jaw and took wrong course soon after, in a race won by Ballyallia Man (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov, 5 ran.
