always behind, pulled up 2 out
mid-division, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, weakened 6th
tracked leaders, hit 6th, blundered 3 out, soon under pressure and weakened
behind, headway before 3 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge next, soon one pace
led, driven and headed approaching 3 out, soon one pace
held up in touch, smooth headway to lead approaching 3 out, pushed clear after next easily
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next
prominent, weakened after 7th
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, mistake 6th, weakened after 4 out
held up in touch, ridden and effort before 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up before next
held up in touch, effort after 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
always behind, pulled up 2 out
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up mid-division, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten
An open handicap where not too many are in red hot form but the short list includes Pavilion Bleu, Forest Silver, Onefourfun and Keltic Rock, but we will take a chance on Nicto De Beauchene. This full brother to Welsh National winner Mike De Beauchene looks another thorough stayer in the making, and comes into this race after a pipe-opener when he finished well down the field. However, the yard is flying, he acts with plenty of cut, and this testing circuit will really bring his stamina into play. Pavilion Bleu has been raised 4lb for finishing an 11 length runner up here last time, though the step up in trip should help. Forest Silver probably acts on most ground but seems to prefer a sound surface, though thwe trip suits and he is respected. Onefourfun won nicely on good to soft at Wetherby last time but is penalised 7lb here and has to prove himself on ground as testing as this. Of the others, Keltic Rock has to defy a 14 month lay-off, but more importantly, testing ground and is opposable here and the vote goes to Nicto De Beauchene.
Grey Brother 25-1 (11-4) In touch, joined winner 4 out, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 23l behind Deep Reflection (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Key Phil (FR) 25-1 (10-13) Behind, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from next, never dangerous, 10th of 21, 17l behind Newton Bridge (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Gala Evening 9-2 (11-3) Held up, some headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 32l behind Sebastiano (11-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Forest Silver 4-7fav (11-2) With leader, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Ouragan Lagrange (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Onefourfun (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, steady headway 4 out, went 2nd next, led 2 out, soon clear, readily, won at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec beating Ajay (11-8) by 13l, 12 ran.
Purple Patch 13-2 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Devils River (10-8) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Dec.
Irish Legend (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 12l behind Panjo Bere (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Pavillon Bleu (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway approaching 4th, kept on well from 2 out, 2nd of 16, 11l behind Gauvain (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Historic Place (USA) 50-1 (10-3) Always in rear, 11th of 18, 28l behind The Tother One (10-8) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Keltic Rock 11-4 (10-12) Made all, hit 7th, ridden and hit last, kept on well, eased towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov '06 beating Mr Shambles (11-2) by 8l, 10 ran.
Nicto De Beauchene (FR) 20-1 (10-12) In touch and keen, ridden and weakened 4 out, 8th of 16, 37l behind Carruthers (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Voir Dire 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Compton Star (9-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Dancing Dasi (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway to lead 2 out, headed approaching last and soon weakened, 5th of 10, 17l behind The Tother One (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Listen Son (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Hampered 1st, mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden to lead after 2 out, hit last, headed close home, 2nd of 12, nk behind Popcorn Rosie (10-4) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Emile Zola 33-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place after 4th, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by The Tother One (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Saphire Night 8-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 14, 9l behind Deep Reflection (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Danse Macabre (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden after 5th, no impression, 6th of 9, 32l behind Sebastiano (11-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
