mid-division, behind from 8th, mistake and unseated rider 10th
held up in rear, struggling 15th, tailed off when refused 4 out
tracked leaders, outpaced in 3rd after 16th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 4 out
made most, drew clear from 3 out, unchallenged after, left alone last
mid-division, behind when reminder after 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
mid-division, outpaced in modest 4th after 16th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear on outside, some headway into mid-division 11th, weakened 14th, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division, weakened 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, blundered 7th, lost place 12th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before next
disputed lead, driven 4 out, ridden and held after next, sole rival and well beaten when pulled up approaching last, re-traced steps and eventually completed
Smiles For Miles bounced back from a reverse at Chepstow to score again at Newbury and has taken well to fences this season. Firebird Flyer appeared to have plenty in hand when winning at Ludlow but didn't fool the handicapper, who has put him up 8lb. Loch Ba came right back to form at Wincanton but Bob Ford has rather lost his way and Venetia Williams' pair, Tarraco and Gorgehous Lliege, have a bit to prove in this grade. GLOBAL POWER was fancied for last month's Welsh National but was withdrawn on the morning of the race. Oliver Sherwood's stayer appears to have everything in his favour here and can make amends for missing the Chepstow showpiece. Ziga Boy could also figure with a clear round.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) In rear, headway before 8 out, went 2nd from 5 out, led on bit before last, shaken up to go clear run-in, won at Ludlow 3m Am hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating Firm Order (11-1) by 6l, 7 ran.
Edmund Kean (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mid-division when not fluent 15th, never on terms, struggling when mistake 5 out, pulled up after, in a race won by Emperor's Choice (10-8) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec, 19 ran.
Smiles For Miles (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, chased clear leading pair 5th, closed into 2nd 2 out, led last, soon pressed, driven and stayed on to assert run-in, won at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft beating Russe Blanc (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bob Ford (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leader until 7th, lost place 9th, well beaten 11th, pulled up after, in a race won by Quincy Des Pictons (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Loch Ba (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Soon in touch, went 2nd before 4 out, challenged 2 out, led last, ridden out flat, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Saroque (11-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Ziga Boy (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Jumped slowly 1st, tracked leaders, challenged travelling well and every chance when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Knockanrawley (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Global Power (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 3 out, stayed on well, just held near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Theatrical Star (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
King Massini (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Led until after 1st, led 3rd, not fluent 5th, headed 9th, lost place from 12th, 11th of 13, 39l behind Splash of Ginge (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Tarraco (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 5th, lost place 10th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Itoldyou (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 12 ran.
Gorgehous Lliege (FR) 4-1fav (11-3) Led 2nd, ridden after 3 out (usual 4 out), headed 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure, lost place near finish, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Itoldyou (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
