keen and tended to jump right, led until 8th, chased winner until 3 out, no impression when left modest 2nd 2 out
held up in touch in rear, left in 4th place at 4th, went 2nd 3 out, 2 lengths down and travelling well enough when fell next
chased leader, led 8th, slightly hampered by loose horse 4 out, pushed along and 2 lengths ahead when left clear 2 out
keen, soon tracking leading trio, blundered and unseated rider 4th
hit 1st, chased leaders, jumped slowly 5th, pushed along and weakened 4 out, left modest 3rd 2 out
NonRunner
A very competitive handicap in which all have some sort of chance. Harry Whittington sent out the winner two years ago and saddles easy Ludlow scorer Bigmartre but he may have a bit to find with Huntingdon scorer Cyrname on collateral form. Alan King’s stable is seeking a third win in six years and the mare DUSKY LEGEND (NAP) may be the pick of the weights. She’s won here over hurdles and was only headed on the run-in by the useful Lady Buttons in a Listed race at Bangor on her second start over the larger obstacles. Lingfield winner Crievehill still has scope, as does the lightly-raced Hell's Kitchen, but Exitas is having his 13th run over fences and may have been reeled in by the handicapper.
Cyrname (FR) 15-8 (11-7) Made all, ridden and ran on strongly, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Darebin (11-0) by 14l, 3 ran.
Dusky Legend 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, strongly challenged when mistake last, headed closing stages, no extra, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Lady Buttons (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f lst (1) sft in Nov.
Bigmartre (FR) 13-8fav (11-6) Jumped well, made all, clear bypassing 3 out, unchallenged, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gf in Oct beating Darebin (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Hell's Kitchen 6-4 (11-2) Led until before 1st, chased clear leader, closed 7th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 5, 3l behind River Wylde (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gs in Nov.
Crievehill (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Led until after 3rd, chased leader, challenged from 3 out, ridden to lead final 110 yards, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Get Rhythm (11-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
Exitas (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, kept on, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Doitforthevillage (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
