chased leaders, left 2nd from 5 out, kept on and no chance with winner
mid-division, lost place from 9th, tailed off
with leaders early, soon pushed along and outpaced, plugged on from 4 out, never dangerous
mid-division, in rear and blundered 7th, soon struggling, pulled up
chased leaders, ridden before 4 out, went 3rd before 3 out, one pace and no impression
towards rear, reminders after 9th, soon weakened, pulled up
led until unseated rider 5 out
towards rear, headway before 5 out, mistake next, plugged on and never dangerous
chased leader, left in lead 5 out, clear before 3 out, kept on
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up
chased leaders, unseated rider 5th
towards rear and reminders after 1st, tailed off and pulled up before 6th
Nonrunner
Virak is getting no respite from the handicapper but earns full marks for consistency, though there is nothing between the top weight and Fingal Bay on their run together behind Wakanda at Ascot last month. CLOUDY TOO was behind Virak in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle in November and only third behind Seventh Sky in the Tommy Whittle here later but enjoys a big pull in the weights with both today and seems to like it here. He can turn the form book on its head by landing this off a low weight. Reve De Sivola is the fly in the ointment as he's rated 21lb higher over hurdles and loves the mud. However, it's asking a lot for him to take to fences second time around at the age of 11. Algernon Pazham's jumping went to pieces at Aintree and he may be in need of a confidence-booster while Katenko, Splash of Ginge and Gas Line Boy also have questions to answer at present.
Virak (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching last, kept on run-in, took 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Wakanda (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Third Intention (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Last pair, never on terms, 6th of 7, 20 3/4l behind Sire De Grugy (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Seventh Sky (GER) 14-1 (11-6) Led until 1st, tracked leaders, lost place before 6th, well beaten before 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on flat, no chance with leaders, 5th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Village Vic (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Splash of Ginge 25-1 (10-12) In touch, losing place when blundered and unseated rider 17th, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Fingal Bay (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd 16th, pushed along challenging 2 out, soon driven, every chance last, kept on until no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Wakanda (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Algernon Pazham (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, tracking leaders when fell 11th, at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Gas Line Boy (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) In touch, fell 1st, at Aintree 4m 3f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Led, hit 8th, headed 2 out, chased winner, ridden and no impression between last two, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Thistlecrack (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Cloudy Too (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In touch, chasing leader when mistake 4 out, ridden to challenge next, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Seventh Sky (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Presenting Junior (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up behind in touch, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd after last, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 6, 8 1/2l behind Presented (10-3) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Man With Van (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, blundered 11th, outpaced before 3 out, ridden before next, soon no impression, held when left 3rd briefly last, no extra, 4th of 6, 9 3/4l behind Presented (10-3) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Universal Soldier (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) In touch early, struggling 9th, pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun.
Katenko (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 10th, blundered badly 12th and pulled up, at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
