tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place before 16th, blundered and unseated 4 out
held up in rear, outpaced from 18th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 15th, pecked 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on from last, always held by winner
led, hit and unseated rider 1st
held up in touch, hit 3 out, soon weakened
left in lead 1st, headed 15th, blundered 17th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 13th, outpaced 4 out, kept on to take 3rd before last, no impression
held up towards rear, hit 5th, struggling from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 16th
always towards rear, pulled up before last
in touch in 4th, blundered 8th and lost place, driven before 16th, no impression
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 8th, chased leader before 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear and keen, headway before 6 out, led 2 out, kept on well after last
A competitive handicap in which several appear to hold solid claims. John Wade's chasers are usually worth following once they strike form and APACHE BLUE can complete his hat-trick. Twice a winner over 3m2f here this season, he can confirm November's running with subsequent scorer Dystonia's Revenge over this longer trip despite re-opposing on 7lb worse terms. Shaking Hands is another leading contender, having made the trip up from the West Country. He was just caught having tried to make all over 4m at Exeter on his reappearance before failing to quicken when only third over 3m2f at Wincanton last month. Pegasus Prince is unexposed and beat a subsequent winner over 3m3f at Sedgefield last time while Star Beat and Hennessy wouldn't be far away on their best form. Dermatologiste won over this trip at Bangor last month and should also be in the firing-line, despite an 8lb higher mark.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, soon towards rear, weakened from 10th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Power Pack Jack (10-0) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct, 16 ran.
Pegasus Prince (USA) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, pushed along after 17th and outpaced, headway on outer before 2 out, soon went 2nd, ridden to lead before last, kept on, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov chs (4) gs in Dec beating Wistow (10-7) by nk, 6 ran.
Cool Mission (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Mid-division, in touch 8th, mistake 12th, lost place 14th, soon behind, 6th of 11, 34l behind Mohi Rahrere (10-4) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Shaking Hands (IRE) 9-2fav (11-9) Led, headed 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Honourable Arthur (11-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Whats Up Woody (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Prominent, ridden in 4th after 12th, weakened before 4 out, very tired 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Cannington Brook (10-9) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Star Beat 18-1 (11-12) Led, mistake 12th, mistake and headed 4 out, kept on same pace, 5 lengths down in 4th and ridden when left 3rd last, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 22l behind Air Force One (11-12) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Dystonia's Revenge (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, left poor 3rd 2 out, ridden before last, ran on strongly flat, led last 50 yards, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec beating Eighteen Carat (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Hennessy (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Behind, struggling 4 out, tailed off when left 3rd before last, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gf in Dec.
Cerium (FR) 28-1 (11-5) Held up behind in touch, outpaced 5 out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 14l behind Plum Pudding (10-13) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Apache Blue (IRE) 11-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along and lost place 12th, rallied 3 out , stayed on to lead run-in, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec beating Sycho Fred (10-0) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Dermatologiste 22-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 14th, pushed along in 4th after 3 out, soon raced wide, ridden before last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec beating Jaunty Journey (11-7) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Posh Bird (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) In rear, headway 8th, chased leading pair 3 out, stayed on one pace, lost 3rd run-in, 4th of 10, 9l behind Mohayer (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
