held up towards rear, unseated rider 9th
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, close up after, mistake and fell 11th
led, headed 10th, ridden weakened 4 out, bumped next, tailed off
keen, held up in rear, headway 12th, ridden and every chance soon after 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden weakened 4 out, bumped next, tailed off when pulled up last
close up, ridden 4 out, weakened next, well behind when fell last
prominent, lost place after 2nd, soon in rear, behind 11th, pulled up 4 out
tracked leaders, chased leader 4 out, led soon after 3 out, ridden and joined last, found extra towards finish
prominent, led 10th, blundered on landing 3 out, soon headed, ridden and rallied to have every chance last, no extra towards finish
Nonrunner
A wide-open contest but this is not an easy start for either Unique De Cotte or West Wizard over fences. Full Shift continues to disappoint and this is probably too far for Germany Calling. ANTONY was impressive at Sandown and can follow up at the main expense of Bekkensfirth, who won easily at Leicester and can improve further. There are also possibilities about Buckhorn Timothy given he may not have got home over 3m at Chepstow three weeks ago and How About It is another to catch the eye but Sirabad seems to need the mud and tries this trip for the first time.
Unique De Cotte (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, 8th 3 out, soon well held, mistake 2 out, 6th of 12, 29 3/4l behind Missed Approach (10-7) at Newbury 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Buckhorn Timothy 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 13th, effort to challenge when hampered and left in narrow lead 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Kingswell Theatre (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Rock N Rhythm (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, hampered 1st, not fluent 4th, blundered badly 9th, soon ridden, well beaten when mistakes 4 out and 3 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Jayo Time (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Sirabad (FR) 2-1 (11-0) Held up in 4th, closed to go 3rd 4 out, ridden to press winner last, every chance until towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind On Tour (11-5) at Carlisle 2m (3) hvy in Nov.
Antony (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, clear flat, ridden out, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Dancing Shadow (11-5) by 8l, 9 ran.
West Wizard (FR) 4-6fav (10-12) Held up in touch, led 3 out, ridden and clear before last, eased heavily towards finish, won at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in May beating One Big Love (10-5) by 7l, 8 ran.
How About It (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) In touch, headway to join leader 10th, lost place before 5 out, rallied 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on well closing stages, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Double Shuffle (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Full Shift (FR) 7-2fav (11-1) Always in rear, never a factor, 8th of 10, dist behind Arzal (11-7) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Bekkensfirth 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led before 8th, not fluent 4 out, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Lovely Job (11-4) by 13l, 11 ran.
Germany Calling (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Led until 2nd, stayed prominent, 3rd and beaten when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 33 1/4l behind Dresden (11-7) at Aintree 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
