mid-division, headway 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up 3 out
mid-division, under pressure 3 out, soon no impression
led until 2nd, mistake 6th, led again approaching 3 out, headed before next, no extra
tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon hard ridden, headed before last, kept on well
tracked leader, led 2nd, mistake 6th, driven and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
pulled hard in touch, effort 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 3 out, chasing leaders when blundered next, weakened before last
always behind, pulled up 3 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, led before last, pushed out, readily
Former Ditcheat inmate Ascendant has his first run over hurdles for a new yard and isn't out of this on his best form, while there could still be more to come from Corkage despite a 12lb rise for winning his last couple of starts with plenty to spare. Bocciani reverts to the smaller obstacles off an 11lb higher mark having won a chase at Haydock last month, while Touch Of Irish will have come on for his comeback run at Wetherby and represents a stable in fine form. BIG EASY has made steady if unspectacular improvement in novice events and Philip Hobbs' charge gets the nod on his handicap debut as the best is yet to come from him.
Ascendant 8-11fav (10-4) Tracked leaders wide, took keen hold, led before 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Hereford 2m 1f cnd/am sll hdl (5) sft in Dec beating Den Maschine (10-12) by 15l, 8 ran.
Jetnova (IRE) 15-8fav (10-11) Left disputing 2nd behind clear leader from 2nd, mistake and dropped to 3rd 10th, jumped slowly and lost place next, soon outpaced, behind when mistake last, 5th of 7, 26l behind Mush Mir (10-3) at Warwick 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Dec.
Corkage (IRE) 85-40fav (11-12) Tracked leading pair, led 12th, drew clear form 2 out, comfortably, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Ring Bo Ree (11-3) by 13l, 9 ran.
Bocciani (GER) 6-1 (11-7) Led until 5th, led next until not fluent 8th, led 11th, headed approaching 4 out, left 2nd when slightly hampered next, led 2 out, idled thereafter, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec beating Bishops Heir (11-1) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Tobago Bay 33-1 (10-6) Pressed leader to before 3 out, weakened before next, 14th of 17, 30l behind Knight Pass (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Touch of Irish 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 18, 26l behind Ubi Ace (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Arctic Wings (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, no extra before last, 5th of 12, 19l behind Star Of Angels (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Furrows 9-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 5th, mistake 2 out, never in contention, 6th of 9, 21l behind Double Handful (10-6) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Big Easy (GER) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, weakened from next, 4th of 12, 12l behind Jumps Road (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
