made all, ridden after 3 out, challenged 2 out, ran on well
towards rear, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 7th, weakening when mistake 2 out
in rear, ridden 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd after last
in touch, ridden and lost place 7th
in rear, mistake 7th, soon beaten
tracked leaders, chasing winner when hit 8th, weakened 2 out
always in rear
towards rear, mistake 1st, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden to chase winner 3 out, challenged 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
always in rear, behind when jumped left 6th and 7th, pulled up 2 out
held up mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on and hanging right under pressure last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
towards rear, ridden 5th, some progress 7th, beaten next
tracked winner until 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, blundered and lost place 1st, headway 4 out, ridden next and kept on same pace
Serabad had little chance behind the high class Punchestowns here last month and should appreciate this company more but Peter Bowen's gelding may have to settle for minor honours behind CHIEF YEOMAN, who gets the verdict with Group Captain rated the main danger. The selection made a highly satisfactory reappearance when chasing home United at Haydock last month and with Venetia Williams continuing to churn out plenty of winners, there should be more to come and he looks the percentage call. David Pipe's Lough Derg heads them in the weights and has every chance off just a 3lb higher mark than when successful at Cheltenham last time but he may struggle to give so much weight away. Lead On was well held on his return at Cheltenham when last seen in October and he looks best watched after that effort, while Blaeberry is probably a shade high in the weights. Nicky Henderson's Working Title is less exposed than most of these and has to be considered but a bigger threat is likely to come from Hugh Collingridge's Group Captain, who is in good from over hurdles and comes here fit from the flat. Chief Yeoman has solid claims though and is taken to give Venetia Williams another winner.
Lough Derg (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Led at strong pace, soon clear, reduced lead and driven along after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, rallied last, kept on gamely flat, led near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs beating No Refuge (11-4) by a nk, 5 ran.
Abragante (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, badly hampered and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Pride of Dulcote (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Serabad (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway and short lived effort after 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Punchestowns (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Group Captain 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 21, 8l behind Sentry Duty (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Kawagino (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led to 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Pride of Dulcote (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Howle Hill (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Towards rear, hit 2nd, blundered 3rd, soon driven, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Jack The Giant (11-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Procas de Thaix (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Held up, weakened 3 out, 10th of 12, 49l behind United (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Kings Quay 13-2 (11-4) Held up and not fluent, never dangerous, 7th of 10, well behind Palomar (11-4) at Catterick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Lead On (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leader until 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 6th of 9, 14l behind Irish Legend (10-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Chief Yeoman 25-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind United (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Blaeberry 6-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, headway after 3 out, effort next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 11l behind One Gulp (11-2) at Kempton 3m mrs lst nov hdl (1) gd in Nov.
Chivalry 20-1 (9-13) Towards rear, ridden and lost touch 3rd, tailed off and pulled up 5 out in race won by Border Castle (9-13) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Personal Column 9-2 (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th and kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, 4th of 12, 18l behind Beau Michael (11-6) at Limerick 2m 2f 4yo hdl sft in Oct.
Working Title (IRE) 4-1fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, headway from 3 out, pressed leaders 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 19, 14l behind Royaleety (10-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Irish Legend (IRE) 40-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 10th of 21, 16l behind Sentry Duty (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Mexican Pete 6-1 (11-12) Close up, hit 3rd, outpaced 3 out, stayed on again approaching last, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 7, 14l behind Theatre Diva (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Saltango (GER) 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway when mistake 8th, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, well behind Fair Along (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Scriptwriter (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Towards rear, headway and effort 2 out, stayed on flat, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Ignotus (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar.
