jumped left at times led, not fluent 8th, extended lead travelling strongly 2 out, driven out
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, steady headway 6th, ridden after 3 out where mistake, one pace from 2 out
tracked leader, dropped towards rear 4th, in rear 6th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from 2 out
held up, chased leader 4th, close up 7th, ridden after 3 out, lost ground on leader 2 out, no extra from last
held up, took closer order 4th, not fluent 5th, reminders 7th, in touch when jumped slowly 4 out, ridden and outpaced 3 out, plugged on from last
CORNERSTONE LAD (NAP) is certainly built to jump fences and could be a contender at the highest level if he translates his hurdles form to the bigger obstacles. He beat Buveur D’Air in last year’s Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and is a relentless galloper when conditions are testing. Elvis Mail, Gaelik Coast and Cheddleton have already won a chase but carry a penalty. The former is preferred of that trio while Ubetya looks like making a better chaser than hurdler based on his second at Uttoxeter when finishing ahead of Cheddleton.
Cheddleton 6-5fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, pulled into lead 2nd, jumped left 2 out, ridden before last, pushed clear flat, comfortably, won at Carlisle 2m (3) sft in Nov beating Heartbreak Kid (11-4) by 9 1/2l, 5 ran.
Elvis Mail (FR) 9-4 (11-10) Held up in 4th, stumbled badly 4th, mistake 6th, closer when blundered 4 out, disputing 2nd next, 2nd when stumbled badly 2 out, led between last 2, soon clear, pushed out after last, heavily eased towards finish, won at Ayr 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Seemorelights (10-11) by 2l, 4 ran.
Gaelik Coast (FR) 2-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, pushed along and hit 4 out, moved into 2nd before last, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 6 1/2l behind Return Ticket (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Cornerstone Lad 4-1 (9-8) Led, ridden and reduced advantage 3f out, headed over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong to lead close home, won at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Jackamundo (9-5) by nk, 12 ran.
Ubetya (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Mid-division, niggled along 4 out, responded well to pressure and pressed leader 3 out, disputing 2nd at both 2 out and last, stayed on run-in but no match for good winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Gumball (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (3) sft in Oct.
