towards rear, headway when not fluent 7th, reminder after 9th, outpaced 13th, stayed on again approaching 3 out, switched right approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat
chased leaders, led 11th, headed approaching last, one pace flat
jumped right, led to 8th, remained prominent, hit 12th, disputing 5th but weakeneing when fell heavily 2 out
with leader, led 8th to 11th, remained pressing, led again before last, all out
prominent, ridden 4 out, disputing 5th but weakening when blundered badly 2 out
held up, blundered 1st, struggling when mistake 12th, well behind when mistake 14th, never dangerous
chased leaders, went up side 8th until 9th, weakened 14th
always behind, pushed along 7th, losing touch when mistake 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
mid-division, struggling when mistake 10th, soon lost touch
Nenuphar Collonges gets the confident vote in this handicap chase with Admiral Peary and Zimbabwe rating the main dangers. The selection has been in fair form of late and had every chance until falling in a race won by Avitta last time out. This race does not look as competitive and off what remains a handy mark he should prove hard to beat. Admiral Peary rates the main danger on his latest second behind Earl's Kitchen when last seen. His yard are in form and he should be watched in the market but the suspicion is he may need the run after a 344-day absence, although the booking of Tony McCoy is an obvious positive. Zimbabwe has been in the form of his life of late but he just gave the impression the handicapper had caught up with him when second behind Pass Me By last time so he may be vulnerable off this mark. Of the remainder, Cetti's Warbler ran well last time but has yet to prove he stays this far while Kilty Storm is better on a faster surface. Desailly has the ability to go close off this mark but continues to be beset by breaking blood vessels and for the winner we return to the progressive Nenuphar Collonges.
Nenuphar Collonges (FR) 5-2jt-fav (11-6) In touch, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, close 3rd when fell 5 out in race won by Avitta (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Kilty Storm (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led, hit 9th and reminders, headed after 3 out, gradually faded, lost 3rd approaching last, 5th of 8, well behind Flintoff (11-6) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Admiral Peary (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Prominent, led 8th, jumped right after, hard ridden approaching 4 out, headed 2 out, every chance last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Earl's Kitchen (10-12) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
Desailly 14-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, went 4th after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next, 7th of 8, well behind Flintoff (11-6) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Zimbabwe (FR) 4-1jt-fav (9-9) In touch, tracked leader from 6th, stayed on well, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Pass Me By (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Hazeljack 5-1 (10-8) Led until 4th, stayed prominent until fell at the 14th in race won by Cowboyboots (11-5) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 5 ran.
On Y Va (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Held up, never a factor, 6th of 10, 47l behind Parkinson (10-4) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Cetti's Warbler 9-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, good headway 4th, led 6th to 7th, led approaching 8th, headed 3 out, regained lead 2 out, headed close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Loulou Nivernais (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Nagam (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, ridden when mistake 12th, no impression on leaders from 3 out, 4th of 8, 9l behind Nonantais (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft.
Precious Bane (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led clear, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, headed 6th, regained lead 7th until before 8th, weakening when mistake 9th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Loulou Nivernais (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 9 ra.
