raced wide, in touch in last trio, not fluent 3rd, jumped right and weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up soon after
tracked leading pair, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with easy winner
slight lead, narrowly headed 5th, chased winner, mistake 3 out (normal 4 out), driven and no impression soon after, lost 2nd approaching last
last pair, pushed along after 4th, never on terms, tailed off 2 out (normal 3 out), pulled up before last
pressed leader, led narrowly 5th, ridden clear after bypassing omitted 2 out, kept on strongly, easily
held up in rear, jumped slowly 2nd, steady headway after 5th, went modest 4th approaching last
chased leaders, weakened to 4th when blundered 2 out(normal 3 out), dropped to modest 5th and mistake last
SAROQUE wasn't exactly foot-perfect at Newbury last month but that was only his second start over fences and he still won with a bit in hand. De Blacksmith was still in touch when unseating his rider that day and could get close with a clear round on 10lb better terms but we still expect Venetia Williams' charge to come out on top and double his tally. Avoca Promise has been a bit disappointing since winning at Huntingdon in October but could figure in this grade and makes more appeal than Itoldyou, who looks an out-and-out stayer. No Buts looks as though he'll make a better chaser than hurdler, however, and has place claims again.
Avoca Promise (IRE) 13-8 (10-13) Tracked winner until 8th, ridden to chase winner again 2 out, outpaced from last, 2nd of 3, 12l behind Knock A Hand (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 5f (3) hvy in Dec.
De Blacksmith (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Went right 1st, chased winner until 6th, stayed chasing leaders, unseated rider 10th, in a race won by Saroque (10-8) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Saroque (IRE) 5-2fav (10-8) Made virtually all, bruched 5th, not fluent 8th, mistake 12th, hit 4 out, joined next, driven and stayed on to go clear and assert before last, eased in closing stages, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Glen Countess (10-11) by 4l, 6 ran.
Marcus Antonius 6-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Brick Red (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) hvy, 5 ran.
No Buts 9-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 6th, chased leaders 4 out, every chance 2 out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Bucking The Trend (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Itoldyou (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, chasing leaders when blundered 4 out, soon no impression, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Reblis (11-6) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Lord Of The Dunes 6-4fav (11-9) Held up in mid-division, headway to 3rd 3 out, ridden and wanderd approaching 2 out, weakened to 4th and blundered last, 4th of 12, 14l behind Party Palace (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
