jumped badly left throughout, tailed off when blundered 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 12th, soon chasing leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, 4th and held when hit last, weakened into 5th towards finish
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 9th, mistake 11th, well held when jumped left last, lost modest 3rd last strides
tracked leader, led after 4th until 7th, chased leader until 11th, weakened soon after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway from 2 out, kept on run-in, went never 3rd last strides but no chance with leading duo
held up, badly baulked and brought down 1st
led until after 4th, chased leader until approaching next, handy 3rd, 2nd again 11th, led narrowly before last until run-in, rallied gamely to regain lead post
raced wide, chased leaders, hit 8th, mistake and pulled up 10th
always towards rear, mistake 5th, never on terms, tailed off
chased leaders, effort on inside before 2 out, soon one pace, weakened between last 2
led in start and well away, prominent, 2nd approaching 5th, led 7th, dived at 9th, joined 2 out, narrowly headed before last, led again run-in, soon ridden, headed post
NonRunner
Poker School is 18lb higher than when winning this last year and the going is not in his favour. Casse Tete was progressive last season but hasn’t raced since March. Un Beau Roman is well treated nowadays but doesn’t stay much beyond 2m and was also behind subsequent Newbury runner-up Rock On Rocky at Cheltenham last month. Monbeg River put in a superb round of jumping when scoring at Doncaster but was allowed an easy lead and may not have that luxury here and is also on a career-high mark. Red Devil Star arrives in decent form and has won here in the past while Dream Bolt returned to form at Taunton but will do well to follow up off a 4lb higher mark. There are going concerns surrounding MR MEDIC but he has every chance on recent form having only weakened on the run-in last time at Newbury over a slightly longer trip. Pougne Bobbi could also figure with a run under his belt.
Casse Tete (FR) 15-2 (11-8) Held up, not fluent 5th, headway 11th, led next, clear from 2 out, easily, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar beating The Fresh Prince (11-4) by 27l, 6 ran.
Pougne Bobbi (FR) 9-2 (11-6) Chased leaders on inside, outpaced after 12th, never on terms after, ridden and went modest 4th between last 2, 4th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Fortunate George (10-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Poker School (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) In rear, unseated rider 8 out, at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Monbeg River (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led after 4th, not fluent 6th, clear after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Drumlee Sunset (11-12) by 16l, 5 ran.
Dream Bolt (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) In rear but in touch, headway before 4 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance last, led flat, stayed on strongly, won at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Coeur Tantre (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Theo's Charm (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Behind, headway 4 out, driven to chase leaders next, stayed on to take 3rd approaching last, not trouble front pair, 3rd of 16, 22l behind Sam Spinner (10-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Nov.
Mr Medic 6-1 (11-3) Tracked clear leaders, took closer order 4 out, ridden to challenge after next, stayed on same pace closing stages, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Willie Boy (11-11) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Volt Face (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Prominent, hit 8th, led after 4 out, blundered next, headed before when mistake 2 out, weakened, 4th of 9, 13 1/2l behind Play The Ace (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Un Beau Roman (FR) 12-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, held up in touch, outpaced 2 out, never able to challenge, 5th of 9, 10l behind Doitforthevillage (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Red Devil Star (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) In touch, headway 2 out, every chance next, ridden to lead briefly flat, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Workbench (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Rock On Rocky 14-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, ridden and went 2nd 9th until 4 out, went 2nd again before 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Overtown Express (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Grey Gold (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Chased leaders, took closer order 9th, chased leader next, led approaching last, weakening and no extra close home, held on, won at Ffos Las 2m 3f (4) sft in Oct beating Red Riverman (11-4) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
