tracked leader, led 13th, ridden 2 out, held on well
mid-division when fell 12th
in touch, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, hampered 12th, mistake 3 out, never dangerous
behind, ridden 7th, soon beaten
held up mid-division, headway 12th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on well towards finish
mid-division, fell 4 out
led until 13th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 14th, hampered 16th, soon beaten
Cathedral Rock can answer punters prayers by taking this prize from Stagecoach Opal and possibly Shardakhan. The selection's second to Pedros Brief over an inadequate trip here is decent form before making the most of what became a penalty kick at Fakenham. An 8lb rise for that cakewalk seems a little harsh but leaves him just 2lbs higher than his hurdling mark. He has the potential to be a fair bit better as a chaser and can take another step up the ladder. Shardakahn responded well to blinkers to defeat Georgies Boy at Kempton but a 9lb rise leaves him 5lbs worse off for 4 lengths although on the plus side it was just his fourth chase start and he's improving. Sea Cadet is another with a weight rise to overcome following his win at Doncaster but he is at least in form and well suited to the demands of this test. Cash King was around 10 lengths in arrears but may have needed the run and isn't dismissed whilst Royal Kicks and Stagecoach Opal are unexposed. The latter makes plenty of appeal as he has improved with each of his three starts over fences and looks to have his ideal conditions for the first time. He's fancied to go close but we'll stick with Cathedral Rock.
Shardakhan (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 10th, ridden to lead 3 out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan beating Georges Boy (10-2) by 4l, 12 ran.
Cathedral Rock (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Led, mistake 2nd, headed 11th, left in lead 13th, clear approaching 3 out, not fluent last, easily, won at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs in Jan beating Shouldhavehadthat (11-0) by a distance, 7 ran.
Bengo (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) In touch, tracked leaders halfway, mistake 4 out, chased leader 2 out, hard ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, all out, won at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Dec beating Olay Olay (11-2) by a nk, 9 ran.
Royal Kicks (FR) 11-2 (11-5) Held up, blundered 11th, ridden approaching 14th, weakened approaching last, 5th of 7, 36l behind Killard Point (11-6) at Bangor 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Dec.
Absolut Power (GER) 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, hampered 9th, soon behind, 7th of 12, well behind Pedros Brief (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Dec.
Stagecoach Opal 10-1 (10-9) Towards rear, pushed along and outpaced 9th, stayed on well from 2 out, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 7l behind The Gleaner (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec.
Cash King (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) In touch, chased leaders halfway, challenged 4 out, weakened last, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Sea Cadet (10-12) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Georges Boy (IRE) 11-4 (9-11) Prominent when unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Jonny's Kick (10-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Sea Cadet 9-2fav (10-12) Held up, not fluent early, headway to chase leaders 7th, chased winner approaching last, stayed on to lead last 50 yards, won at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan beating Jeringa (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Leopold (SLO) 14-1 (10-5) Towards rear, mistake 4 out, stayed on flat, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Yann's (10-9) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Dec.
