held up in last trio, ridden in modest 6th and strugging after 3 out
close up, travelling well in 3rd when hit 3 out, weakened before next
chased leader until ridden before 5th, driven and outpaced before 7th, last and struggling next, stayed on to take modest 4th 2 out
raced on inside, led, joined 7th, kept slight advantage until ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner when hit last
raced wide, held up in last trio, good headway to chase leaders 4th, challenged from 7th, led 2 out, came clear before last, readily
held up in last trio, headway to 3rd well before 2 out, every chance when hit 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up, ridden before 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened well before 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders, hit 6th and lost place weakened before next, tailed off
Oscar Papa's second to Court In Motion at Exeter in November is easily the best form on offer in this but Nick Gifford's charge has flopped in a couple of subsequent starts and is probably one to be wary of now. Alan King sets a poser by saddling three; with stable jockey Choc Thornton opting for Sweet Irony ahead of Doncaster fourth The Laodicean and Yukon Quest. The Laveron gelding has finished third in both starts over hurdles so far and there is enough stamina in his pedigree to suggest he'll appreciate the longer distance here. But preference is for RAMSES DE MARCIGNY, who was a decent sort in bumpers last season and made an encouraging start over timber when third at Wincanton. Being a half-brother to Najca de Thaix, he's going to enjoy the extra and has more scope than most of his rivals.
Abayaan 12-1 (9-9) Held up, not trouble leaders, 8th of 13, 11l behind Pocketwood (10-4) at Newbury 1m 4f ladies hcap (5) gs in Oct (flat).
Another Dimension (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on approaching final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 14, 19l behind Divine Folly (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gs in Jan.
Ballyfoy (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Towards rear, hit 4th, outpaced from 13th, never dangerous, 8th of 18, 26l behind Synchronised (11-6) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft in Jan.
Oscar Papa 3-1fav (11-0) Chased leaders, blundered 6th, every chance 4 out, ridden and soon weakened, 9th of 15, 27l behind Our Father (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway to mid-division 5th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened tamely before next, tailed off and eased, 10th of 12, well behind Time For Spring (10-12) at Ascot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Sweet Irony (FR) 8-11fav (10-12) Held up towards rear and keen, headway before 3 out, ridden and hit last, kept on, 3rd of 18, 4l behind Palace Jester (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
The Laodicean 11-2 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 14, 19l behind Drive Time (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Yukon Quest (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 14, 41l behind Nicene Creed (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Cousin Maggie (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Chased leading pair, bumped 1st, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 14, 15l behind Accordintolawrence (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Amaury De Lusignan (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, chased leading pair, went left and lost 3rd 2 out, weakened and mistake last, 5th of 7, 30l behind Pride In Battle (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Cleaver 40-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 13th of 17, well behind Chablais (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Ramses De Marcigny (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, hit 1st, jumped right next, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 18, 2 3/4l behind Furrows (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
