behind, pushed along and weakened before 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 9th
led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened before last
prominent, mistake 3rd, ridden before 2 out, led last, hard pressed run-in, just held on
behind, mistake 1st, soon mid-division, chased leaders before 7 out, went 2nd and not fluent and led 2 out, headed narrowly last, every chance run-in, kept on and just held close home
chased leaders, lost place 7th, detached 9th, pulled up
tracked leader, weakened before 4 out
mid-division on outer, lost place before 4th, pushed along next, weakened before 7 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, upsides leader when pecked badly and unseated rider 5 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, went 4th before 2 out, kept on to take 3rd run-in
always behind, tailed off before 7 out
Barton Gift was an easy winner at Exeter last month but he'll do well to double up here off a 19lb higher mark. Mighty Mobb has shown promise in both starts over fences and could be well handicapped while Badgers Cove races off the same mark as when second at Southwell, though is a lot more exposed than most. We'll take a chance on NO DUFFER, who gave the impression a step up in distance would suit when a staying-on third off a higher mark at Haydock last time. Taunton runner-up Water Wagtail is another with decent claims while Basford Ben finished ahead of Mighty Mobb at Wetherby last month and is another to consider in an open race.
Getting Ready (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Pressed leader until driven and weakened quickly before 8th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Bellenos (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Comeonginger (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway and in touch halfway, hit 4 out, weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Count Guido Deiro (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.
No Duffer 6-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th until 4 out, 3rd when not fluent last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Bobcatbilly (10-8) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Mighty Mobb (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Tracked leaders on inside, headway to lead 5 out, headed next, regained narrow lead 3 out, soon ridden, headed next, no impression when went right and lost 3rd last, 4th of 9, 21l behind Arc Warrior (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Mac Steamy (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, pulled up, in a race won by Tullyesker Hill (11-3) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft, 12 ran.
Water Wagtail 15-2 (11-11) Pressed leader, led 4 out, joined next, headed 2 out, beaten when not fluent last, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Buywise (11-11) at Taunton 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Badgers Cove (IRE) 3-1fav (11-8) Held up behind on outside, in touch 11th, hit and reminder 12th, ridden and 7 lengths down in 3rd when left 2nd at 17th, closed on winner before 3 out, kept on same pace from next, always held, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind High Ron (11-7) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Barton Gift 3-1 (9-12) Prominent, led before 4 out, clear next, easily, won at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Tuskar Rock (11-7) by 32l, 10 ran.
Basford Ben 5-1 (11-4) Behind, driven before 9th, soon in rear and struggling, ridden and stayed on from before 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 22l behind Fozy Moss (10-4) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Cheat The Cheater (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) With leaders, joined leader 4th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 6th of 10, well behind Barton Gift (9-12) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
