prominent, headway on bit to chase leader 3 out, ridden and led 2 out, headed last, no extra flat
in touch, headway on bit 6th, challenged 3 out, ridden and led last, pushed clear flat, readily
mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
held up on outside in mid-division, ridden after 6th, kept on one pace
held up last, not fluent 1st and 2nd, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
led and soon clear, hit 2nd, ridden approaching 6th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, hard ridden 2 out, one pace
held up last, lost touch after 4th, tailed off
held up in mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace
chased leader, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace from last
Nippy Des Mottes can land another course and distance victory at the expense of Sasso and Devito, with Westernmost likely to go well at a decent price. This does not look a strong contest on paper, with the recent form of Nippy Des Mottes standing out. Paul Nicholls' s five-year-old was given a perfect ride by Liam Heard here at the end of December, coming through to lead two out and holding on in a close finish. He has been put up nine-pound by the handicapper, but there is definitely more to come. He was impressive at Exeter in November and was still going well when falling at Cheltenham next time, so he should really be good for another few pounds at least, and with young Mr Heard keeping the ride after impressing his boss, a follow up is very much on the cards. Sasso made a winning start to his hurdles career at Folkestone in November, but Tony McCoy was not greatly impressed, and Jonjo O'Neill's charge had his limitations exposed next time when only third to the unfancied Astronomical. Devito has plenty of experience and has won twice here in the past, but may now be in the grip of the handicapper, so is passed over along with Westernmost who ran well enough from out of the handicap at Wincanton last time. Nippy Des Mottes will line up fit and fancied and should pay to support.
Goldbrook 5-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway to join leaders approaching 8th and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Croix De Guerre (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (D) gf in Apr, 7 ran.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) 11-4 (11-3) Held up, headway 3 out, led 2 out, hard ridden from last, all out, won at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Dec beating Spike Jones (10-0) by a shd, 14 ran.
Visibility (FR) 66-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, some headway 6th, struggling from 8th, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Attorney General (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs.
Devito (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Raced wide, held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden when hit 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 48l behind Killing Me Softly (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Dec.
Sasso 1-3fav (11-5) Led to 2nd, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Astronomical (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Ilabon (FR) 9-1 (10-13) Chased leader, ridden in 2nd when hampered badly 3 out, not recover and pulled up 3 out in race won by The Local (11-4) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Maclean 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 24l behind Motorway (10-8) at Newbury 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-130 (E) gd in Nov.
Alva Glen (USA) 7-1 (10-8) Behind until kept on from 3 out, never nearer, 6th of 9, 17l behind Rift Valley (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Jul.
Geri Roulette 8-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, ridden and disputing 4th when mistake and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Moonlit Harbour (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd in Apr '04, 15 ran.
Westernmost 40-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 4l behind The Local (11-4) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec.
Landescent (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, mistake last, 3rd of 14, 13l behind Neveesou (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
