in touch in 4th, blundered 2nd, weakened from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, took keen hold early, ridden and challenged last, every chance run-in, just held towards finish
mid-division, weakened from 8th
towards rear, headway after 8th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and upsides when fell last
always behind, early reminders, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, reminders 5th, weakened from 8th
tracked leader, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
towards rear, hit 5th, soon reminders, struggling from 7th
mid-division, led 6th, headed 7th, remained close up, led again 2 out, pressed last, ridden and under pressure run-in, just held on
Nonrunner
DUKE OF MALFI is given the vote in a competitive finale. Now a pound below his last winning mark, this Alflora gelding is expected to step up markedly on his Bangor reappearance last month. Against The Wind ran well here last time out behind Janal, whilst the latter has since suffered defeat at Worcester and has a little to prove. Dark Gentleman is dangerously well-handicapped back over fences, Lerida should come on for his spin round Worcester, whilst Norminster remains capable of better. Tiger King is more reliable and along with the chasing debutant Gavroche Gaugain is entitled to plenty of respect in this line-up.
Duke of Malfi 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leader until 7th, weakened from next, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Morning Sunshine (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Nifty Roy 40-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, weakened 6 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Nothingbutthetruth (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Against The Wind 9-2 (11-12) Led 1st until 3rd, led approaching 7th, headed next, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner last, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Janal (9-7) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
Soul Angel 33-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, chased leaders 11th, weakened before 4 out, 4th of 5, 27l behind Eyre Square (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Mar.
Gavroche Gaugain (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led after 5th, headed 3 out, ridden, one pace from next, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Devils Delight (9-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb.
Tiger King (GER) 8-1 (9-12) Held up in touch in 5th, headway approaching 10th, ridden and one pace from last, 6th of 8, 9l behind Kosta Brava (11-8) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Norminster 40-1 (9-11) Mid-division, dropped towards rear 5th, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Quinder Spring (10-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Oct, 10 ran.
Lerida 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, hampered 1st, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 33l behind Buds Dilemma (10-5) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Oct.
Dark Gentleman 33-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, lost place approaching 7th, tailed off when mistake 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Jeu De Roseau (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Janal (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, struggling 8th, hampered 3 out, no impression, 8th of 11, 34l behind Buds Dilemma (10-5) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Oct.
Apache Brave (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, driven after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Makena (11-5) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jul.
