mid-division, lost place when not fluent 9th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, driven 3 out, no impression before next, left modest 3rd last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner
held up behind, headway and in touch 5th, led narrowly 4 out, ridden and headed between last 2, 5 lengths down in clear 2nd when mistake and unseated rider last
with leader, led narrowly 3rd, headed 4 out, outpaced in 3rd after next, soon no chance with front pair, left modest 2nd last, lost place flat
led to 3rd, tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, weakened after next, left moderate 4th last
in touch, joined leader 3rd, lost place 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up before last
held up behind on inside, headway 10th, went 2nd after 3 out, upsides next, led between last 2, 5 lengths advantage when left clear last
behind, struggling 8th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
This looks to be Carli King's best chance so far of getting a win over fences. He has won a couple of point-to-points and has been taking on better opposition so far this season under Rules. But we might take a chance on the fitness of WITCH'S HAT, who hasn't raced since May but is only a pound higher than when just beaten in a novices' handicap at Folkestone a year ago having won earlier at Leicester. Bally Lagan wasn't beaten far at the latter track last time but will find this ground plenty soft enough while Caspian Piper finished tailed off on his UK and chasing bow.
Caspian Piper (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden 11th, not much room next, not fluent 13th, weakened after next, mistake 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, 48l behind Ifyousayso (11-11) at Leicester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Carli King (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden when not fluent 4 out, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 6, 38l behind Funny Star (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd in Nov.
Freckle Face 17-2 (11-1) Held up in touch, under pressure when blundered 13th, no chance with leaders from 4 out, 5th of 9, 32l behind Bobcatbilly (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Witch's Hat (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, mistake 5 out, ridden and lost place after next, well beaten 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Lemon's Gent (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in May.
Top Benefit (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 6th, lost place before 7th, mistake and struggling from 10th, tailed off, 7th of 10, 47l behind Quayside Court (9-10) at Towcester 3m cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gs in Nov.
Vardas Supreme (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Led to 1st, lost place from 4th, soon struggling, 6th of 7, well behind Cloverhill Lad (11-2) at Hexham 2m hcp 0-100 (5) sft.
Bally Lagan (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Crescent Beach (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gf.
Bill The Lad (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased winner until before 5th, weakened from 11th, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Princely Player (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3rd, not fluent 6th, well beaten from 11th, 6th of 8, well behind Mr Bachster (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gf in Nov.
