chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, weakened 13th
chased leaders, went 2nd at 3rd, led briefly 8th (water), jumped slowly 11th, not fluent and lost 2nd at 13th, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching next, stayed on gamely from last, all out
towards rear, steady headway 10th, weakened under pressure before 3 out
held up last, never a factor
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders approaching next, went 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace from last
never better than mid-division, jumped slowly 9th, behind and struggling 12th, tailed off
raced wide, chased leaders, not fluent 6th, went 2nd 13th, led 4 out, headed before next, weakened between last 2
led, headed 8th (water), in front again soon after, headed 4 out, chased leader until before next where mistake, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, kept on gamely under pressure run-in
This looks a competitive affair but MISTER MALARKY slowly warmed to his task at Plumpton and will know more today. Colin Tizzard’s novice can confirm that form with Chosen Path and double up. Johanos hasn’t run for a while but is potentially well treated on his chasing bow. Absolute Power ran well for third at Ffos Las and is receiving weight all round and stablemate Sunset Showdown has always had the look of a chaser. Tobefair had a brilliant strike-rate over hurdles but was a tad disappointing on his debut over the larger obstacles whereas Just Your Type showed definite promise behind Kilbricken Storm at Ffos Las.
Theligny (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Chased winner until 5th, chased clear leading pair and no chance after, 3rd of 5, 30l behind Bags Groove (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Tobefair 5-2 (11-0) Held up in 4th, driven to chase front pair after 5 out, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, soon lost place, no danger after, 4th of 6, 17 3/4l behind Lil Rockerfeller (11-10) at Exeter 3m (3) gs in Nov.
Just Your Type (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Led until 6th, remained prominent, lost place after 4 out, rallied next, no extra approaching last, 4th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Kilbricken Storm (11-3) at Ffos Las 3m (3) hvy in Nov.
Chosen Path (IRE) 15-8 (12-1) Never that fluent and pushed along at times, tracked leading trio, went 3rd 10th until next, outpaced 3 out, left poor 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 4, 5 3/4l behind Mister Malarky (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
King Calvin (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, slipped up after 6th, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Sunset Showdown (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up in 5th, plugged on in 4th from 2 out, never going pace to get involved, 4th of 7, 12 1/2l behind Colonial Dreams (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Mister Malarky 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leading pair until 10th, 3rd again 4 out, left 2nd 2 out, challenged last, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Risk And Roll (11-0) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Vodka All The Way (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 4th, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Johanos (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, ridden and clear before last, easily, won at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Mar beating Middlebrow (10-13) by 10l, 3 ran.
Vieux Lille (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Pushed along from start, with leader, not fluent 5th and 9th, lost 2nd 10th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before last, at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
Absolute Power 8-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, blundered 9th, headway and pushed along in 5th after 13th, kept on into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Air Navigator (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
