held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, led 4th, stumbled 3 out, headed before 2 out, no extra from last
held up in touch in 4th, went 3rd before 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well flat, driven out
held up in rear and keen, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner before last, kept on, held flat
held up towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, challenged before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened flat
led, headed 4th, tracked leader, weakened before 4 out, pulled up
ROI DE ROSE ran out a ready winner over today's trip in testing ground at Fontwell last month. He disappointed at Wincanton on his reappearance a fortnight later, but that run may have come too soon and David Pipe's French import looks worthy of another chance. Categorical won over C&D under similar conditions at this time last year but looks a shade high in the weights now, while the lightly-raced Nevada Royale has done his winning so far over longer distances. Sue Smith has won this race twice in the last three years and Gansey has a chance if back to his best.
New Alco (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, hit 15th, some headway next, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Midnight Chase (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Nevada Royale (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Led, headed before 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, weakening when mistake next, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind King Fontaine (11-1) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Gansey (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Crescent Island (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs.
Categorical 10-3 (11-9) Led, jumped well, headed 4 out, rallied approaching last, weakening when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Cavers Glen (10-4) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Le Roi Rouge (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, blundered 6th, reminders before next, soon struggling, last of 7, well behind Sagalyrique (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Roi De Rose (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Led, not fluent and pecked 8th, ridden and headed when hit 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 20l behind Bugsy's Boy (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Hockenheim (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Led, ridden and headed last, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Always Right (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
