led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression
chased leaders until after 2nd, soon behind, struggling 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway 3 out, driven to chase leaders before next, went 2nd and ridden between last 2, kept on same pace, held flat
in touch, headway into 2nd after 3 out, led next, ridden before last, kept on well
tracked winner, ridden and lost place after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
in rear, struggling from 3rd, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden to chase front pair between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression
soon behind, reminders after 1st, struggling 4 out, never a threat
tracked leaders, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Nonrunner
Hunters Belt was third in this last year and his latest second at Uttoxeter was his best run for a while. A market move for the returning Bop Along would be significant while Baraboy has proved a lot more consistent this year, though was beaten more than four lengths behind Alizee De Janeiro over course and distance in October. The latter went on to finish second over a longer trip here last month but we prefer DEEP RESOLVE (NAP). Alan Swinbank's gelding has been in decent form on the level this year and Tom Scudamore takes the reins on his return to jumping.
Deep Resolve (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) Close up, ridden 3f out, no impression, 4th of 12, 5l behind Frosty Berry (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Maxie T 33-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 6f out, weakened well over 2f out, last of 12, 24 1/2l behind Highland Castle (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in May.
Bop Along (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders on inside, reminder 6th, went 2nd next, 4 lengths down and outpaced 2 out, stayed on between last 2, led narrowly approaching last, ridden out flat, won at Hexham 3m (3) gd in Jun beating Nosey Box (10-11) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Smadynium (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling in back straight, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out, at Exeter 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Alizee De Janeiro (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, joined winner last, led narrowly run-in, kept on and caught post, 2nd of 7, hd behind Clan Legend (11-3) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Celestino (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, blundered 5th, mistake 7th, not fluent next, lost place 4 out, weakened and jumped left final 3, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Rear Admiral (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Hunters Belt (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before last, kept on well, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Mulligan's Man (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Cadore (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, soon towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 33 1/2l behind Almost Gemini (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Bold Henmie (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leading trio, 2nd after 4 out, hit 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, hit 2 out, weakened and lost two places before last, 6th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Innocent Touch (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Baraboy (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Behind, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out in 4th, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 20l behind Mixboy (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
