tracked leader, led 4th, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, no extra flat
held up in rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd last, ridden and kept on flat, not pace of winner
in touch, lost place and reminders 7th, soon lost touch, behind when pulled up before 9th
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led before next, ridden and ran on well flat, readily
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
led to 4th, pressed leader, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, kept on under pressure from next, no impression
Pheidias and Blue Shark both have ability but this looks to be between Bluegun and MIRAGE DORE with preference for the latter. Rose Dobbin's gelding was the pick of these over hurdles and ran better last time over fences than he had done on his debut over the larger obstacles; the longer trip today should suit the seven-year-old who relishes plenty of give underfoot. Pam Sly's Pheidias ran encouragingly at Southwell when behind Mobaasher last month but this looks tougher, while Malcolm Jefferson's Blue Shark needs to improve dramatically on the form of his chasing debut here in November to trouble the judge but he was useful over hurdles and cannot be discounted. Nebeltau looks the best of the remaining runners but they are little better than moderate and preference is for Mirage Dore.
Bluegun (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Held up in touch, hit 5th, weakened last, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Richard's Sundance (11-0) at Exeter 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Blue Shark (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, tailed off, in a race won by Synchronised (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Dun Na Ngall (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up, reminders and lost touch 13th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Presenting Forever (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (5) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Mirage Dore (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden and one pace from 3 out, 6th of 14, 9l behind Double Vodka (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Nebeltau (GER) 50-1 (10-11) Chased leaders in 4th, hit 7th, driven along 9th, soon weakened, tailed off 12th, pulled up before last, in a race won by Mark The Book (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Dec, 6 ran.
No More Punts (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Held up, weakened 5 out, 5th of 7, 47l behind Ernst Blofeld (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Pheidias (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 11th, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 7, 5l behind Mobaasher (11-1) at Southwell 3m beg chs (3) gd in Dec.
