with leader until 5th, ridden before next, lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off
led, jumped right 2nd and 4 out, headed 3 out, 3rd and one pace from 2 out, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
tracked leaders, challenged 6th, ridden and stayed on same pace from 4 out, 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd towards finish
held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 5th, ridden after 11th, closed before 4 out, one pace next, well held 4th from 2 out
in rear, well behind from 7th, pulled up before 11th
held up, fell 4th
held up, headway 7th, went 2nd when pecked slightly 4 out, led next, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably
Nonrunner
Noble Legend makes a quick reappearance under a penalty after making all at Fakenham eight days ago. He could take some pegging back if allowed an easy lead here but others are preferred. Great Link ran well at Aintree after winning at Market Rasen while Moorlands Jack arrives off the back of a win at Kempton. The Italian Yob won at Ffos Las in October and was then fourth at Taunton but we are going to take the view that MYSTIFIABLE is well treated over fences given he's been running well over timber and has only had the one try so far over the larger obstacles. Cloudy Bob usually finds a way of getting beat.
Noble Legend 5-1 (11-2) Made all, drew clear from 3 out, stayed on well, driven out, comfortably, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Emerald Rose (11-1) by 11l, 8 ran.
Valadom (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Led, not fluent 2 out, soon headed, weakened last, 5th of 14, 32l behind Josies Orders (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) gs in Dec.
The Italian Yob (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led until after 1st, led 3rd, headed next, led 6th until not fluent 7th, stayed on same pace from after 4 out, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Howlongisafoot (11-10) at Taunton 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Great Link 11-2 (10-13) Held up, well in touch 8th, hit next, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Bally Beaufort (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Moorlands Jack 13-2 (11-7) Settled towards rear but in touch, mistake 6th, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led after last, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Houston Dynimo (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cloudy Bob (IRE) 9-2fav (11-9) Led until 1st, tracked leaders, mistake 4th, led 14th, headed when left in lead 4 out, not fluent and headed next, lost 2nd last, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Valid Point (11-8) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Mystifiable 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching omitted last, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 20, 10 1/4l behind A Hare Breath (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Smart Catch (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, never a factor, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Isaac Bell (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
