held up towards rear, headway 6th, tracked leading pair 5 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go clear flat
tracked leaders, jumped right 3rd, soon outpaced, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, led 5 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure, no chance with winner flat, just held on for 2nd
held up behind, outpaced after 7th, headway under pressure 5 out, outpaced in 4th next, kept on same pace, no chance with leaders
chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, weakened before 3 out
held up behind, mistake 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off 5 out
chased leaders, hampered 3rd, lost place next, tailed off 5 out, soon pulled up
led to after 1st, tracked leader, lost place before 5 out, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
led after 1st, headed 5 out, kept on same pace, rallied 2 out, just held for 2nd flat, no chance with winner
Arctic Ben is chasing a hat-trick after wins at Uttoxeter and Warwick but this is a much better race than those that he usually contests. Oh Crick is now a couple of pounds lower than when winning a valuable handicap at Aintree in 2009 but hasn't scored since and, despite re-opposing on much better terms, may not be able to reverse Newbury running in November with RILEYEV. Venetia Williams' gelding didn't sparkle at Doncaster last time but it could be worth forgiving him that one poor effort as he'd proved a model of consistency earlier. Buffalo Bob drops in trip after landing a gamble at Ayr but has the beating of Dinarius on that run. Moon Over Miami had Super Formen behind and Educated Evans was pulled up in Marodima's race at Warwick six weeks ago but none of that trio make much appeal today.
Oh Crick (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, left disputing 2nd when hampered 4 out, lost place after 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 9, 26l behind Astracad (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Dec.
Oscar Gogo (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division in touch, lost place 5 out, soon beaten, tailed off, 6th of 11, 45l behind According To Pete (11-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Educated Evans (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) In rear, not fluent 1st or 2nd, behind when mistake 4th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Marodima (10-13) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Rileyev (FR) 15-2 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place halfway, soon no impression, 7th of 10, 27l behind Quicuyo (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 16-1 (11-9) Held up, not fluent 2nd, behind 6th, ran on flat, never nearer, 5th of 8, 11l behind Marodima (10-13) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Super Formen (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, closed 3 out, soon outpaced, effort after 2 out, no impression, 6th of 8, 13l behind Marodima (10-13) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Dinarius 25-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, weakened and pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Buffalo Bob (10-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft, 7 ran.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Led and keen, headed before 3 out, in 2nd and held when left in lead 2 out, kept on, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft beating Categorical (11-9) by 15l, 7 ran.
Arctic Ben (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Made all, clear 3rd, unchallenged, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan beating Romulus D'artaix (11-12) by 11l, 8 ran.
