in touch, lost place 14th, mistake 16th, rallied after 3 out, led flat, driven out
held up towards rear, headway 16th, mistake 17th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
jumped right, in rear, headway 16th, ridden 18th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
prominent, led 9th to 13th, led 15th to 3 out, weakened last
held up towards rear, mistake 11th, headway 14th, not fluent 17th, led 3 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra
with leaders, led 7th to 9th, hit 15th, soon dropped rear, rallied before 16th, weakened after 3 out
not fluent, led to 7th, led 13th to 15th, weakening when not much room well before 2 out
in touch, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
Le Beau Bai was good value for his win in a beginners' chase at Uttoxeter on his debut over the larger obstacles in November but Richard Lee's gelding looks harshly treated on a mark of 129 on his handicap debut over fences and he may struggle to give weight away all round so preference is for OBAKI DE GRISSAY, who gets the vote ahead of Joyryder. Carl Llewellyn's gelding has been largely disappointing this season but the stable is back among the winners now so there may well be more to come from the son of Cloudings. Present M'lord ran below expectations on testing ground at Chepstow last month and is better than he showed that day so has to be considered off a fair mark, while The Risky Viking has been given a chance by the handicapper but has been beaten a long way in all four starts this term. The Ring has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper for his improved form in December and now looks best watched in a race taken to go to Obaki de Grissay. Henry Daly's gelding stepped up on the form shown on his reappearance when chasing home Nenuphar Collonges at Bangor in November and he has solid claims of going one better off just a 5lb higher mark today.
Le Beau Bai (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Went handy 5th, chased leader after 13th, led and mistake 3 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Plein Pouvoir (11-3) by 10l, 9 ran.
Obaki de Grissay (FR) 15-2 (10-8) Held up in touch, joined leaders 3 out, every chance next, one pace approaching last, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
That's An Idea (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leader, hit 4th, not fluent and lost 2nd 6th, blundered 11th, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Strawberry (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs, 9 ran.
The Ring (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) In touch, close up when hampered 12th, weakened from 15th, 8th of 14, well behind Coe (11-9) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Keenan's Future (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Behind, tailed off and no chance 4 out and pulled up at the last in race won by The Sawyer (11-6) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Present M'lord (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Led, headed 2nd, hit 4th, ridden 10th, weakened 13th, 8th of 18, 28l behind Supreme Keano (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Joyryder 11-1 (11-0) Led to 3rd, chased leader to 9th, ridden and struggling after 4 out and soon weakened, 8th of 15, 36l behind The Sawyer (11-6) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
The Risky Viking (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (10-6) In rear, pushed along 7th, blundered when weakening 11th, behind when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Coe (11-9) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
