led until 5th, mistake 7th, soon given reminder, weakened 10th, pulled up before 4 out
soon tracking leaders, challenged after 7th, blundered 10th, ridden 3 out, just over 2 lengths 3rd when not fluent and left 2nd 2 out, left clear when hampered by loose horse last, finished tired
prominent, led 5th until 6th, jumped slowly 9th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, led 6th, not fluent 8th, 2 lengths ahead when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
prominent, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, soon lost place, not fluent 7th, behind from 8th, left 2nd last
held up, jumped slowly 3rd, closed 9th, went 2nd 3 out, 2 lengths down when left in lead 2 out, appeared to go wrong when pulled up before last
Honest John looked a bright prospect when completing a double at the end of 2012 but has been struggling and ran a shocker at Doncaster last month. Prolific point-to-point winner Divine Intavention has done very well in hunter chases with his biggest moment coming when runner-up to Salsify in the Foxhunter at last year's Cheltenham Festival. Off The Wall made an encouraging chasing debut at Ffos Las in December but ran very poorly at Southwell a month ago. LEGENDARY HOP is built for chasing and showed it when scoring here in November. She didn't get far on a return visit last month but can make amends. Taffy Thomas has gained both chase victories on this track though that was a long time ago but neither Doubletolntrouble nor Lukey Luke are out of this as both are well enough handicapped if returning to something like their best.
Honest John 2-1fav (11-5) Led, pushed along before 4 out, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, well behind The Panama Kid (11-5) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Jan.
Divine Intavention (IRE) 6-4fav (12-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, bumped next, led 7th, headed approaching 10th, chased winner, blundered 11th, readily held from 3 out, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Hawkeye Native (11-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f hts chs (6) gd in May.
Legendary Hop 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Ultimatum Du Roy (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 5 ran.
Taffy Thomas 10-1 (10-1) Behind, steady headway after 9th, pushed along in 3rd when left 2nd 4 out, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, weakened from last, 6th of 13, 9l behind Rhum (11-0) at Ludlow 3m Am hcp ch 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Doubletoilntrouble (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Jumped right, tracked leader, led 5th until next, led again 10th until jumped slowly and headed next (water), chased leader until ridden before 4 out, weakened before next, last of 6, 25l behind Top Dancer (11-1) at Newbury 3m 2f am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Lukey Luke 6-1 (11-3) In rear, headway 4 out, chased leading pair and 6 lengths down when blundered and fell next, in a race won by Etxalar (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
Off The Wall (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) In rear, headway 9th, pushed along 14th, weakening when blundered 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by High Ron (11-4) at Southwell 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 5 ran.
