held up mid-division, mistake 7 out, soon weakened tailed off
led, mistake 8 out, mistake 5 out, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 5 out on bit, went 2nd 2 out, shaken up before last, soon led, kept on well
with leaders, lost place 8 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 7 out
prominent, went 3rd before 6 out, led 3 out, headed before last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, effort before 4 out, went 4th before 3 out, no impression
held up mid-division, weakened before 5 out
with leaders, mistake 6 out, led before 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace
Last Shot has been more consistent this season but may be slightly out of his depth in this grade. Rody hasn't shown much this term and is now tried in blinkers while Shooters Wood is also under a bit of a cloud at present. Bellenos is improving, however, and won at Ascot last month though is 12lb higher now. Simply Ned might be a few pounds too high while Conquisto has been racing over further lately, though is only 3lb higher than his last winning mark. KING OF THE WOLDS' winning run came to an end in the Castleford Chase at Wetherby over Christmas but he could easily get back on track on the forecast better ground as he looks to have more to offer. Upsilon Bleu is coming down the weights and may be the danger.
Conquisto 20-1 (11-6) In touch, stumbled 1st, hampered next, soon behind, slow 11th, never dangerous, last of 7, 20l behind Riverside Theatre (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Rody (FR) 6-1 (11-11) Mid-division, lost place 8th, behind and ridden after 5 out, weakened 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Desert Cry (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft, 9 ran.
Simply Ned (IRE) 1-2fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway before 5 out, every chance before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Doynosaur (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov chs (4) gd in Dec.
Shooters Wood (IRE) 17-2 (10-13) Led, not fluent 5th, headed 10th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Eastlake (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Dec.
Upsilon Bleu (FR) 11-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 10l behind Mr Moonshine (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft.
Bellenos (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Jumped well, held up in last pair, smooth headway to 3rd after 8th, went 2nd on bit approaching 2 out, led 2 out, soon hung right, clear before last, driven out, won at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Rio De Sivola (11-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
King Of The Wolds (IRE) 13-8fav (10-8) Pressed leader, mistake 6th, led 5 out, headed before next, soon ridden, 5 lengths down in 3rd and one pace when left 2nd and sole rival 3 out, no chance with winner after, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Pepite Rose (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec.
Last Shot (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Disputed lead until clear leader 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Lord Of House (11-4) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
