tracked leader ridden until 3 out, kept on same pace from next
close up, tracked leader 3rd, dropped to rear by omitted 4 out, blundered and unseated rider 3 out
led, 5 lengths clear 2nd, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace
close up, chased leader 3 out, led next, ridden and ran on
in rear when collided with rival and nearly unseated rider 1st, ridden to tracked leaders 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
CABERNET D’ALENE finished last on his return to action at Wincanton in October but this is a massive drop in class for Nick Williams’ charge, who has won four times over timber. Bazooka has claims on last season’s form but was pulled up at Lingfield on his return to hurdling. Excellent Team usually finds at least one too good while Vancouver was beaten 14 lengths dropped into a seller at Stratford and is giving weight to his four rivals.
Vancouver 15-8fav (10-12) Jumped right at times and not always fluent, chased clear leader, mistake 3rd, led after 3 out, headed before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Utility (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3f (5) gd in Nov.
Cabernet D'Alene (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Always in rear, never a factor, last of 8, 19 1/2l behind Equus Amadeus (11-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Excellent Team 4-1 (11-0) Led until before 4th, chased leader, led again next, pushed along and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Lazarus (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Bazooka (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, soon towards rear but in touch, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Kitsune 100-1 (10-11) Last pair, not fluent 4th, tailed off, 8th of 9, 26 1/2l behind Lazarus (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m (5) gd in Nov.
