chased leaders, jumped left throughout, effort after 2 out, stayed on same pace closing stages
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, weakened after last
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakening when blundered last
always prominent, every chance 2 out, led just after last, ran on well
took keen hold in mid-division, never on terms
held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out
led, hung badly left approaching 4th, wandered under pressure 2 out, headed just after last, no extra
always behind, never jumped well, weakened 5 out, soon tailed off
GAITWAY performed with credit on his return to action in December after an absence of over two years. He should improve greatly for the run in what was a competitive Cheltenham contest and has been given a nice break since. Touch Kick has shown promise for Paul Nicholls without really shining but he's coming along steadily enough and should be in the shake-up here. The consistent Dear Sire has place claims on his third start for the McCain team but the market should indicate confidence levels behind hurdling debutants Cesar Et Rosalie and Crackdeloust.
Cesar Et Rosalie (FR) 4-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 32 1/4l behind Run To Milan (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (6) sft in Dec.
Crackdeloust (FR) 9-4 (11-7) Tracked leader until 12f out, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, chased winner 2f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Du Soleil (11-0) at Haydock 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Dear Sire (FR) 2-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 22l behind Seemorelights (10-12) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Gaitway 11-4 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, chasing leaders after next, weakened flat, 6th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Pingshou (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec.
Monfass (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) In rear, pushed along after 4th, struggling from next, 4th of 6, 24 1/2l behind Pot Committed (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (4) gd in Dec.
Multipede 125-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, dist behind Seemorelights (10-12) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Slanelough (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, led after 1st, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, dist behind Seemorelights (10-12) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Touch Kick (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up, towards rear, pushed along and steady headway approaching 3 out, went modest 4th after 3 out, 4th of 17, 12 1/2l behind Neon Wolf (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan.
Bat Sheva (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) In rear, progress 5f out, went 2nd 4f out, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 12, 26 1/2l behind Fintara (11-7) at Punchestown 2m sft in Jan.
