tracked leaders, lost place 9th, reminders before next, soon in rear, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden run-in, all out
held up in rear, reminder after 6th, headway 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on towards finish
in rear, headway before 11th, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, pushed along 7th, soon headway, chased leaders 8th, jumped left 10th, weakened last
led to 5th, chased leaders, headway last, kept on towards finish
towards rear, fell 2nd
held up towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, headway before 2 out, went 4th before last, kept on towards finish
held up mid-division, blundered 11th, fell 12th
tracked leader, with leader 9th, ridden 2 out, kept on from last
Mansonien L'as easily beat Kilvergan Boy over track and trip on Boxing Day with a subsequent winner in third. Donald McCain's eight-year-old was raised 13lb for that effort but is still fancied to confirm running with the runner-up. Black Is Beautiful and Somerby could figure while Bishophill Jack won over course and distance off a 2lb higher mark last May, though it was faster ground that day. SMART EXIT couldn't quite peg back Gorgehous Lliege here last month but it was still a decent effort by Renee Robeson's charge, who has been left on the same mark. He can enjoy a deserved change of luck today.
Bishophill Jack (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders to 13th, soon behind, tailed off when mistake 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Dark Glacier (11-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Smart Exit (IRE) 9-4 (10-3) Pressed winner, led narrowly 7th to 11th, with winner, ridden before 2 out, 4 lengths down last, kept on under pressure flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Gorgehous Lliege (10-10) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Mansonien L'as (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Prominent, led 14th, clear 2 out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec beating Kilvergan Boy (9-12) by 27l, 11 ran.
Miss Saffron 7-1 (9-12) Behind, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, went remote 3rd approaching, no chance with leaders, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Musical Wedge (11-2) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Black Is Beautiful (FR) 5-2fav (11-5) Behind, reminder 9th, struggling 12th, tailed off 4 out, 7th of 10, well behind Dark Glacier (11-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Somerby (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Prominent, lost place 5th, struggling after 4 out, went modest 4th 3 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Seventh Hussar (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Artic Night (FR) 12-1 (10-13) In rear, ridden 7th, never a factor, 8th of 11, 44l behind Night Of Passion (10-12) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Top Benefit (IRE) 22-1 (10-3) Led to 3rd, tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, weakened after next, left moderate 4th last, 4th of 9, 17l behind Bill The Lad (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Kilvergan Boy (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) In touch, ridden in 4th after 12th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 27l behind Mansonien L'as (10-13) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec.
Samson Collonges (FR) 20-1 (9-11) Tracked leader, every chance before 3 out, kept on and no impression from before 2 out, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Dingo Bay (10-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy.
