held up in 6th, slow 4th, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
chased leaders, weakened 6th, tailed off
held up in touch in 5th, smooth headway 5th, tracked leading pair and hit 3 out, went 2nd on bit before next, led before last, drew clear flat, unextended
held up in rear, headway to modest 4th 3 out until approaching next, soon struggling, tailed off
chased leaders, reminders before 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up and soon well in rear, headway to 3rd before 2 out, no impression
pressed leader, led approaching 5th, hit 3 out, headed after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
slight lead, headed approaching 5th, not fluent 6th, led again after 3 out, ridden and headed before last, no chance with winner
January bids for his hat-trick after winning over fences at Wincanton and hurdles at Worcester last time. He's up 8lb today but is not easily dismissed in his current form. Fakenham winner Motarjm still looks too high in the weights and preference is for HI TIDE. He found one too good over a longer trip at Worcester last month, but his only win over hurdles came over 2m1f at this course and he can provide another winner for Tony McCoy. Argaum produced his best effort so far when runner-up at Market Rasen and could make the frame once again.
January 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, chased leader 3 out, led and hit 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun beating Swiss Guard (11-0) by 7l, 9 ran.
Bedizen 20-1 (11-8) In touch, ridden before 6th, weakened before next, 11th of 16, 44l behind Piper's Song (10-7) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Hi Tide (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in last, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, edged right and stayed on same pace flat, no impression final 150 yards, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Very Stylish (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Motarjm (USA) 11-2 (11-5) In touch in rear, mistake 3 out, ridden and every chance next, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Hibiki (11-5) at Fakenham 2m sell hdl (5) gf in May.
Karmadice 7-1 (11-3) Keen early, in touch on inside, chased leader 2 out, ridden and lost place before last, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 33l behind Mavalenta (10-6) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Crosby Jemma 14-1 (10-1) Always behind, 7th of 10, 43l behind Royal Max (10-9) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Prideus (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Led from 1st, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, left 3rd last, 3rd of 5, 14l behind War Party (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Argaum (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Led, not fluent 1st, mistake 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Long Distance (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
