chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, challenged 2 out, led flat, ridden out
prominent, not fluent 2nd, lost place 7th, headway 12th, led 2 out, headed flat, stayed on
held up in rear, some headway 12th, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 3rd flat and one pace flat, no impression
led 1st, not fluent 3 out or when headed 2 out, one pace last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, mistake last, no extra flat
prominen, ridden when not fluent 3 out, no extra next
tracking leaders when jumped slowly 1st, soon lost place, reminder after next, jumped slowly 9th, tailed off 12th, pulled up after
held up in rear, mistake 1st, headway approaching 8th, no extra before last
led until 1st, prominent, jumped left and weakened 2 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, ridden and struggling 12th, well beaten 4 out, pulled up after
tracked leaders on outside, lost place 8th, tailed off 12th, soon pulled up
in rear, not fluent and several slow jumps, well behind 4 out, pulled up after
Nonrunner
Cruchain was placed in better company at Kempton last time and is unquestionably well handicapped on his best form. He should be thereabouts while Mentalist won at Ludlow before finishing third at Ascot and is another having his sights lowered. There should be more to come from Sir Frank and Oscar Davy but Prince Buster has disappointed since finishing second to Golden Chieftain at Worcester in October, though has the beating of Master Milan on that run. DENALI HIGHWAY is lightly-raced but jumped well when winning by seven lengths at Leicester in December. Apart from Join The Navy, the weights are fairly compacted in this and the six-year-old can score again.
Denali Highway (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Made virtually all, clear from 2 out, easily, (no time taken), won at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec beating Full Ov Beans (10-2) by 7l, 7 ran.
Sir Frank (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden briefly after 4th, headway when not fluent 7th, no impression on leaders from 3 out, went 3rd 2 out until flat, 4th of 6, 9l behind Arthur's Pass (11-10) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan.
Oscar Davy (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Kapga De Cerisy (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
Prince Buster (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 21l behind Arbeo (10-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Mentalist (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, slow 2nd, mistake 5th, slow 8th, stayed on under pressure after last, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Eastlake (11-10) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Mr Muddle 66-1 (11-0) Towards rear, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 10, 34l behind Sam Winner (11-0) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Master Milan (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, weakened from 5 out, last of 8, well behind Bertie Milan (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Cruchain (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, pushed along before 10th, steady headway approaching 12th, staying on in 4th when hit 3 out, no impression when left modest 3rd and slightly hampered next, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Bally Legend (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Whispering Jack 5-1 (11-7) Led, headed and reminder 8th, 4th and outpaced before 2 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened and pulled up, in a race won by Sean Airgead (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jul, 7 ran.
Grey Missile 7-4fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Back Bob Back (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Jan.
Take Of Shoc's (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Led early, chased leader, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 7, well behind Shangani (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy.
Arctic Watch 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, some headway 10th, weakened before next, 5th of 8, 28l behind Theatrical Star (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) hvy.
Join The Navy 7-2fav (10-1) In rear, soon detached, tailed off, 4th of 10, 21l behind Newton Tonic (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
