refused 1st
chased leaders, led 13th, headed approaching 2 out, soon under pressure, rallied last, kept on well
led, jumped right 1st, headed 13th, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
held up in rear but in touch, slow 3rd, ridden 10th, chased leaders 12th, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, slow 10th, soon under pressure, hard driven 4 out, weakened next, lost remote 3rd after last
tracked leaders, smooth headway 3 out, led before next, not fluent last, soon challenged, hard ridden, all out
raced in rear but in touch, under pressure 4 out, headway after 2 out, stayed on to go remote 3rd after last, never troubled leaders
A rejuvenated Only Vintage popped-up at big price over 2m5f at Folkestone last month. That first win since 2006 may have been a fluke but the subsequent victory of third-placed Chance Du Roy suggests that it wasn't. Three Chords is less exposed having won at Leicester recently on only his third start over fences and it will be a surprise if he doesn't show further progress here. However, it could pay to stick with proven form and RAY MOND fits the bill. His latest C&D victory was his sixth win in his last seven starts and Neil King's progressive chaser looks capable of better still. A couple of recent falls may have dented the confidence of Bench Warrent and he's best watched for now.
Palypso De Creek (FR) 10-1 (9-11) In touch, ridden and lost place 14th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Midnight Chase (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Bench Warrent (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, in 6th and looking one pace when fell 5 out, in a race won by Synchronised (11-6) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft, 18 ran.
Ray Mond 11-2 (11-6) Made all, soon 6 lengthes clear, mistake 3rd, jumped right 8th, not fluent next, mistake 12th, stayed on gamely, unchallenged, eased close home, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy beating Mr Big (11-5) by 10l, 5 ran.
Rustarix (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 10th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 20l behind Bobby Gee (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Noun De La Thinte (FR) 33-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden along 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 15, 24l behind West End Rocker (10-11) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy.
Three Chords (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) In touch on inside, headway 5 out, challenged going well 3 out, soon led, ridden and kept on flat, won at Leicester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Tafika (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Federstar (GER) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden 8th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 14, 35l behind Mobaasher (11-7) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Only Vintage (USA) 25-1 (10-11) In touch, headway 5 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well flat, won at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Regal Heights (11-4) by 7l, 15 ran.
