tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5th until 7th, mistake and lost 3rd next, ridden before 10th, went right 3 out, stayed on to modest 3rd flat
always last, blundered 8th, lost touch 10th, tailed off
raced wide, took keen hold in last pair, headway to 3rd at 8th, going well enough before 3 out, found little under pressure, weakened from 2 out, lost modest 3rd flat
tracked winner until 5th, went 2nd again 7th, mistake next, ridden after 4 out, readily held from 2 out
made all, came readily clear from 2 out, eased close home
Nonrunner
Be Definite keeps finding one too good over fences and has now finished runner-up four times in six starts. He doesn't look quite good enough nor does Canni Thinkaar, another who can't get his head in front over the bigger obstacles despite winning six times over hurdles. Megastar and TRENCHANT have both been successful at Grade 2 level and should have this between them. The former was slightly the better over hurdles having finished runner-up in the Tolworth Hurdle a year ago but his jumping so far over fences has been very moderate. Trenchant won the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell in 2010 and looked to be getting the hang of chasing when a close third at Wincanton on Boxing Day. He looks the safer option this time.
Be Definite (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Prominent, tracked winner 7th, ridden 3 out, joined winner last, driven out, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Accordintolawrence (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Dragon's Roost (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Towards rear, plugged on to poor 6th when stumbled badly 2 out, eased, 6th of 13, well behind Ohio Gold (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Megastar 40-1 (11-2) Always in rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Al Ferof (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Preuty Boy (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, chased leaders under pressure 3 out, soon ridden, plugged on same pace from next, never on terms, 4th of 6, 19l behind Tarabela (10-2) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Trenchant 2-1 (10-13) Not fluent, in touch, pushed along and lost place 11th, stayed on, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Rangitoto (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Led, jumped slightly left at times, niggled along from 6th, not fluent 8th, headed next, soon led again, headed after 3 out, weakened before next, last of 4, 42l behind Pentiffic (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft.
