tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 11th, left in lead 15th, clear before last, pestered by loose horse close home
tracked leaders, lost place when hit 11th, weakened 15th, mistake 4 out, tailed off
tracked leader, jumped right on occasions, no impression 4 out, rallied 2 out, went 2nd approaching last where mistake, no chance with winner, hung right flat
led, jumped right 9th, jumped right, mistake and unseated rider 15th
held up, not fluent 8th, 4th when mistake 13th, headway when left 2nd 15th, not fluent 3 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, lost place when jumping slowly 2nd, headway 8th, mistake next, jumped slowly and in rear 12th, well behind 15th, blundered and unseated rider last
Honourable Arthur came good over 3m2f at Wincanton earlier in the month. He's 8lb higher here but probably on the upgrade and should make his presence felt. Rileyev tries 3m for the first time but two runs so far this season have lacked conviction, while Herald Angel has questions to answer after pulling up at Fontwell and Ratify lacks experience. So we're prepared to give another chance to TIMPO. Even though Henry Daly's gelding hasn't really fulfilled early potential, he ran his best race so far over the larger obstacles when runner-up at Ludlow in November. Only 2lb higher here, the eight-year-old can finally get his head in front where it matters.
Honourable Arthur (IRE) 3-1fav (10-9) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 12th, led 5 out, hard pressed 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Dunkelly Castle (11-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Golden Dream (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place after 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 12, 26l behind Credit Swap (11-5) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Timpo (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Held up, soon in touch, ridden approaching 12th, chased winner 15th, edged right after last, unable to make an impression, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Azulada Bay (11-8) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Ratify 28-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 14, 9l behind Awesome Freddie (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Rileyev (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leading trio, disputing 3rd after 5th, went 3rd before 4 out until after next, weakened to 4th and mistake 2 out, 4th of 5, 15l behind Manmoon (11-11) at Chepstow 2m 3f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) sft in Nov.
Herald Angel (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, went right 7th, headway 9th, chased leaders 11th, went 3rd after 4 out, no chance with leading duo when pulled up before last, in a race won by Abbey Dore (10-5) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy, 8 ran.
