prominent, behind from 11th
in touch, reminders and lost place 9th, pulled up after 12th
held up mid-division, headway 12th, kept on same pace from 3 out
held up towards rear, lost place 11th
towards rear, headway 12th, led 2 out, headed flat, no extra
chased leaders until weakened 4 out
led, headed 3 out, in 4th, weakening when blundered last
held up, reminders 10th, never dangerous
always behind
tracked leader, lost place approaching 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 6 out
held up, headway 5th, led 3 out, hung left, headed 2 out, rallied to lead again flat, driven out
prominent, went 2nd approaching 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway 13th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up, blundered badly 1st and nearly unseated rider, pulled up before next
in touch, headway to take closer order 11th, one pace 2 out
held up behind, blundered 3rd, weakened from 12th, tailed off when jumped badly right 3 out
mid-division, weakend from 14th
always towards rear
behind from halfway
chased leaders, weakened from 5 out
Nonrunner
Lidjo De Rouge has looked a real handicap blot in his recent runs but he faces a tough task from out of the weights in this strong race, and so preference is for Standin Obligation ahead of Opera Mundi and Harmony Brig. The selection has been dropped a pound for his latest run when seemingly well-held. That was his first run for his new stable having formerly been with David Pipe but with a good pace and a large field to suit, this strong travelling sort could run a big race at rewarding odds. Likely favourite Opera Mundi does have an engagement at Cheltenham but more than likely to take his chance here, a big run should be forthcoming. He is a very promising horse but has not covered himself with glory in big fields in the past and the hustle and bustle may just get to him again. Idle Talk cannot be fancied until he stops getting rid of his jockey, whilst Harmony Brig showed that he stayed this trip two starts back at Newcastle and may appreciate the return to three miles. Bagan represents a stable doing well with their small number of runners at this time of year, whilst Dusky Warbler and Alderburn are both consistent but the latter may just be high enough in the weights now. An Accordian must be respected with the blinkers on for the first time however it is Standin Obligation who gets the nod.
L'ami (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 15th, beaten when hampered 3 out, 10th of 16, 22l behind Over The Creek (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Dec.
Opera Mundi (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, led approaching last, edged right, just held on, won at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov beating Heez A Dreamer (11-6) by a hd, 13 ran.
Juveigneur (FR) 33-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Miko de Beauchene (10-5) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Alderburn 4-1fav (11-2) In touch, driven along after 14th, went 2nd 3 out, driven and every chance approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Vodka Bleu (10-3) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gf in Dec.
Ungaro (FR) 5-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, effort 16th, every chance when hit 18th, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Turko (11-11) at Sandown 3m Grad Ch (2) gs in Dec.
Rambling Minster 16-1 (11-7) Held up mid-divison, chased leaders 5 out, one pace when stumbled badly 3 out, 4th of 11, 9l behind Cloudy Lane (11-3) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Idle Talk (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division when unseated rider at the 13th in race won by Miko de Beauchene (10-5) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Harmony Brig (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Towards rear when ridden and mistake 8th, soon beaten, 11th of 14, 26l behind Vodka Bleu (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs.
Standin Obligation (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Held up, headway and in touch 3 out, effort next, one pace, 4th of 15, 10l behind Harmony Brig (10-12) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Towards rear, headway 16th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 16l behind Backbeat (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs.
An Accordion (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 15th, in touch when blundered badly 4 out, not recover, 6th of 9, 17l behind Irish Raptor (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Yardbird (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) In touch, went 2nd 8th, led 14th, in command after 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec beating Caribou (11-7) by 5l, 14 ran.
Bagan (FR) 7-2fav (11-9) Held up, headway 14th, led 3 out, pushed clear from 2 out, won at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) gs in Dec beating Burren Legend (10-10) by 4l, 8 ran.
Dusky Warbler 11-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 11th, chased winner after 13th, soon ridden, held when mistake 2 out, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Dear Villez (11-6) at Newbury 2m 6f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Ma Yahab 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec beating Negus de Beaumont (11-0) by 1l, 7 ran.
Himalayan Trail 14-1 (9-9) Soon with leader, pushed along 7th, weakened approaching next, 8th of 9, 47l behind Special Rate (10-8) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Brooklyn Brownie (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating The Dark Lord (11-9) by 6l, 9 ran.
Thistlecraft (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 13th, chased winner approaching 4 out, no impression next, lost 2nd before last, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Yardbird (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Lidjo De Rouge (FR) 5-1 (10-1) In touch, chased leader 9th, led approaching 3 out, clear last, eased, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd beating Romany Dream (9-11) by 11l, 8 ran.
Henry's Pride (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Mistake 1st, held up, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner last, rallied as winner tired flat, just held, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Our Armageddon (NZ) 10-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 6th, hit next, headed, weakened after 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Nacarat (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 10 ran.
Korelo (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear, tailed off 6th and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Geeveem (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
