hit 9th, always towards rear
mid-division, ridden approaching 10th, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 10th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway and mistake 9th, ridden after 3 out, kept on to go 2nd at last, no chance with winner
held up well in rear, headway and jumped left 11th, ridden and one paced from 2 out
led to 10th, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, jumped left first, effort 10th, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden after 10th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 11th, weakened next
prominent until approaching 10th, behind when hampered 11th, tailed off when fell last
in touch, hampered 1st, jumped right 4th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden after next, hit last, soon weakened
chased leaders, led 10th, clear 2 out, pushed out
Several of these have claims in a competitive contest including Paddy The Optimist, Lubinas, Cusp and Hawk's Landing but a chance is taken with Alphabetical. Charlie Mann could hardly have his string in better form right now and it is interesting that he has switched the gelding to the larger obstacles after just three runs over hurdles. He could be potentially well treated and may be worth chancing at forecast odds. Jefertiti has slipped to a fair mark but has given little sign of encouragement of late, while Look To The Future is somewhat inconsistent. Paddy The Optimist should strip fitter for his two runs so far along with Lubinas, while Cusp has shown his liking for testing conditions before and ran well enough at Newcastle last time to suggest that his turn may not be far away. Jonjo O'Neill's Hawk's Landing has solid claims on the pick of his form but may not be that reliable and a chance is taken with Alphabetical in the hope that the handicapper has his mark wrong.
Mister Dave's (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, led 9th, 9 lengths clear when fell 3 out in race won by Fashions Monty (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Dec '04, 6 ran.
Hawk's Landing (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Behind, mistake 4th, under pressure before 8th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Soeur Fontenail (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Alphabetical (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, joined leader 3rd, hit next, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Lennon (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (D) gs.
Toon Trooper (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) In touch, blundered and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Dun Doire (10-1) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) sft, 11 ran.
Lord Oscar (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Behind, ridden and no impression from 5th, 6th of 11, 28l behind Motorway (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Jefertiti (FR) 11-4 (10-0) Chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 26l behind Encore Cadoudal (11-6) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Nov.
Lubinas (IRE) 11-2fav (10-10) Mistakes, hampered 2nd, always behind, 7th of 15, 39l behind Nazimabad (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd in Oct.
Cusp 14-1 (10-2) In touch, pushed along 5 out, outpaced next, kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Kids Inheritance (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy.
Paddy The Optimist (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Mid-division, steady headway 9th, stayed on well from 3 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 12, 20l behind Runner Bean (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Look To The Future (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Prominent to 2nd, soon lost place and behind, 5th of 7, 22l behind Rookery Lad (11-6) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs in Nov.
Quizzling (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up in mid-division, 3rd, staying on when blundered badly 3 out and pulled up 4 out in race won by dhtrs Taksina (9-4) & Eggmount (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs, 10 ran.
Lost In Normandy (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 9th, weakened 13th, tailed off, 4th of 11, well behind Dunbrody Millar (11-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (F) sft.
