held up, steady headway 12th, ridden to chase winner 4 out, held after 2 out
held up, headway after 14th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place 10th, soon behind, pulled up before 5 out
mid division, blundered 5th, mistake 9th, ridden and behind 12th, pulled up before 15th
tracked leaders, unkeen, led approaching 12th, headed 14th, led again 4 out, clear approaching last, ran on
tracked leaders, led 14th, headed 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out
held up, some headway after 5 out, ridden and weakened when mistake 3 out
held up, ridden and behind from 5 out
led, headed approaching 12th, ridden 14th, weakened next
Nikola is given one last chance to get his head in front with Youll Do For Me and Stan taken to follow him home. The selection has been in good form of late without winning but a reproduction of his latest second behind Duc De Regniere sets a fair standard and with this longer trip also looking to be in his favour he looks the one to be on. Youll Do For Me rates the main danger on his best form and although he pulled up last time out his yard are back amongst the winners now and he should be watched in the market. Stan is another worthy of respect but he has yet to prove he stays this far and he looks opposable on that basis. Mcevoy looks capable of winning off this mark but is often let down by his jumping at a crucial stage. Of the others Wenger has the ability to win off this mark but does not like to use it and with this in mind Nikola gets our vote with the useful Josh Guerriero taking off a handy seven pounds.
Stan (NZ) 12-1 (11-4) Led until after 5th, led again 8th, headed 4 out, soon under pressure, weakened, 7th of 11, 37l behind Nadover (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Nikola (FR) 11-2 (11-0) In touch, chased winner from 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft.
Milord Lescribaa (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Held up, headway 15th, chased leader next, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ironside (10-0) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 11 ran.
Direct Access (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Behind, lost touch halfway, 6th of 9, well behind Ballycassidy (11-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Youll Do For Me (IRE) 5-4fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, hit 10th, soon ridden, weakened quickly and pulled up 4 out in race won by Brooklyn Brownie (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Mcevoy (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, jumped right 11th, blundered and unseated rider at the 12th in race won by Ironside (10-0) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 11 ran.
No Complaint (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Chased clear leader until mistake 10th, ridden after 13th, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Shardakhan (11-11) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft, 12 ran.
Vivid Imagination (IRE) 17-2 (10-13) Always towards rear, lost touch 11th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lidjo De Rouge (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Wenger (FR) 10-1 (11-1) Prominent, led 6th until after next, ridden approaching 10th, blundered 12th, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 25l behind Jolejoker (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy.
Ellies Horse (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 14, 47l behind Sullumo (10-12) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
