chased leader, led 3rd, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, unseated rider last
held up towards rear, headway 10th, weakened from 5 out, pulled up
towards rear, mistake 8th, headway 17th, went 5th before 4 out, soon reminders, weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, headway before 7th to chase leaders, led before 4 out, headed 2 out, regained lead run-in, kept on gamely
held up in touch, chased leaders before 7th, went 3rd before 14th, led 2 out, headed run-in, kept on
towards rear, pushed along 14th, soon struggling
chased leaders, pecked 9th, weakened from 15th, pulled up
held up towards rear, reminders 13th, soon struggling, pulled up
held up mid-division, headway 14th, went 4th before 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on same pace
close up, weakened before 6 out, pulled up
always behind
led to 3rd, chased leaders, weakened from 10th, pulled up
This looks a stiff test for six-year-olds Whistling Senator and Jayandbee, though both arrive in terrific form. Nigel Twiston-Davies, who saddled the winner three years ago, has both Major Malarkey and Rhum entered. The former often competes at a higher level, though has struggled over the last couple of seasons and is tried in a visor now. Ascot fourth Ballypatrick tries a new trip but Alderluck won over 3m6f at Bangor last season and should be thereabouts. Qianshan Leader was second over 3m here in October but disappointed back at the track last time. INCENTIVISE is 2lb lower than when second to Top Dancer over 3m4f at Cheltenham in the spring. He looked to be on the way back at Haydock last time and, with stamina guaranteed, should give supporters a run for their money in this with Jake Greenall taking off 3lb.
Qianshan Leader (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Led, not fluent 5th, headed 11th weakened 6 out, behind when blundered 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Samingarry (10-13) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Ballypatrick (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 12, 8l behind Night Alliance (10-2) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Alderluck (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, soon ridden, went 4th from last, one pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Boyfromnowhere (10-12) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Major Malarkey (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, lost place 14th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out, last of 10, 44l behind Handy Andy (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Nov.
Whistling Senator (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 9th, headway after next, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd after last, stayed on, not much room towards finish, not able to get to winner, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Guess Again (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f (4) gs in Nov.
Incentivise (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced 13th, rallied 5 out, weakened after next, modest 4th, 4th of 11, 23l behind Nuts N Bolts (11-11) at Haydock 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Rhum (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Led, mistake 15th, headed 17th, led after 18th, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 22l behind Soudain (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Civil Disobedience 15-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, led 5th, not fluent 9th, headed bypassing omitted 14th, chased winner until 3 out, driven and weakened before next, 5th of 10, 26l behind Kris Cross (10-3) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Jayandbee (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, challenged 15th, ridden 4 out, 3 lengths down 2 out, edged right and stayed on flat, led towards finish, won at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating Rydalis (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Double Chocolate 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed 4th, remained close up, pushed along 8th, blundered next, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 27l behind Waltzing Tornado (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov.
Jolly Boys Outing (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Behind when mistake and unseated rider 11th, in a race won by Musical Wedge (11-2) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
River D'or (FR) 5-1fav (11-4) In touch, weakened 6 out, 5th of 12, 46l behind Stormyisland Ahead (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
