led until 2nd, chased leaders, mistake 6th, soon ridden, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed before next, one pace after
held up towards rear, ridden after 7th, stayed on from 2 out, went 4th and hit last
tracked leader, led 2nd until next, led 4th, hit 5th, mistake 3 out, soon headed and weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, headway when hit 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd after 2 out, kept on but always held by winner
held up towards rear, headway 6th, disputing 3rd when stumbled next, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
lost action and pulled up after 2nd
mid-division, ridden and headway after 6th, hampered 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 7th, close enough when mistake 2 out and rider lost iron, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, led 3rd until next, prominent, ridden to lead briefly approaching 2 out, soon one pace
mid-division, headway 6th, led approaching 2 out, driven out
As sellers go, this is a half decent looking contest, with SWIFT SAILOR our selection ahead of Sir Monty and Ouste. You're taking a chance with Swift Sailor that he'll complete the course, as he's been prone to making mistakes, being pulled up on a number of occasions and falling on his penultimate run. However, hurdling seems more to his liking than chasing, and he was a decent second last time out. Gary Moore's got a 20 percent strike rate here, and you ignore his runners at your peril. Sir Monty hasn't won for a year, and it may be too much of a step up in grade, but the longer trip should suit. Ouste is an interesting runner, returning to hurdles following a fall on debut for Sophie Leech, after racing mainly on the flat in Ireland. The smaller fences should suit. Swift Sailor though gets the nod from us.
Axinit (GER) 50-1 (10-12) Always last, ridden along after 8th, well beaten 10th, tailed off, 4th of 5, 45l behind Panjo Bere (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
Captain Becket 9-1 (10-10) In touch, slow jump 2nd, went 3rd 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 10, 24l behind Midas Way (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Kristoffersen 13-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 7th, hit 3 out, ridden and chased leaders approaching 2 out, ran on flat to lead close to home, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May beating Sovereign Spirit (10-9) by a nk, 13 ran.
El Alamein (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up, not fluent 2nd, lost touch approaching 8th, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Cape Tribulation (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Flaming Cheek 25-1 (10-8) Prominent, raced keenly, every chance 3 out, beaten when blundered 2 out, mistake last, 7th of 17, 12l behind That Look (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Head To Kerry (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Mid-division, short of room briefly after 6th, soon ridden, plugged on, went 4th last, 4th of 10, 13l behind Alrafid (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Java Victory (IRE) 7-4fav (10-9) In touch and keen, headway 4 out, in 3rd and held when brought down at the last in race won by L'Eau Du Nil (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Mulaazem 2-1fav (10-12) Held up, hit 4th, headway after 4 out, close up 3 out, not quicken, 2nd of 8, 23l behind Idarah (11-4) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Ouste (FR) 100-1 (11-9) Not jump well in rear, mistake 1st, hit 3rd, blundered 14th, well behind when fell 3 out in race won by Gone To Lunch (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
Shoudawoudacouda (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) In touch, headway and chased leader 13th, ridden 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, 4th of 8, 29l behind Oracle des Mottes (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Sir Monty (USA) 10-1 (10-5) Chased leaders until ridden and lost place 6th, rallied under pressure from 2 out, not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 9, 5l behind Albany (10-10) at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (5) sft.
Swift Sailor 5-2 (11-4) In touch, ridden after 3 out, disputing 2nd when blundered 2 out, plugged on under pressure, just held, 2nd of 8, shd behind Rawaabet (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f clm hdl (5) gs in Nov.
