mid-division, struggling after 10th, never a theat
in touch on outside, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to chase clear pair before 2 out, never on terms
led narrowly, blundered and headed 4th, remained in touch, went 2nd after 10th, led 4 out, drew clear after next, kept on
always towards rear, tailed off 12th, soon pulled up
prominent, led after 5th, headed when mistake 4 out, 4th when weakened and pulled up before 2 out
not fluent, always in rear, tailed off 12th, soon pulled up
with leader, led 4th until after next, tracked leader, lost place after 10th, stayed on to regain 2nd before 2 out, never troubled winner
chased leaders, ridden after 11th, well beaten 4 out, left modest 4th before 2 out
mid-division, ridden before 11th, never near leaders, behind when tired jump 2 out, soon pulled up
behind, headway into mid-division after 10th, ridden before next, never reached leaders, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
Recent worthwhile form is thin on the ground in this but ARQUESBUSIER did score over course and distance earlier in the month and is only 3lb higher so gets the nod. Moorlands Jack has also won at the track so could go well and Bredon Hill Lad has won three times over fences, though never off a mark this high. Twojayslad may still have some scope but might need this and Supreme Bob turned in a shocker last time. Clubs Are Trumps has become disappointing.
Clubs Are Trumps (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, stumbled and unseated rider before 7 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Arquebusier (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 6th, challenged 3 out, led before next, edged left before last, headed at fence but left in lead again, driven out, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Mercian King (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Twojayslad 7-1 (11-9) Held up, not fluent 1st, 4th from 9th, outpaced 11th, weakened 13th, 3rd from next until last, 4th of 6, 35 1/2l behind Aloomomo (11-10) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Supreme Bob (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up behind, pushed along before 7 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Moorlands Jack 6-1 (11-8) In rear, headway 12th, outpaced 4 out, weakened after next, 5th of 6, 28l behind Arquebusier (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Far From Defeat (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling 12th, 6th of 9, 27 1/2l behind Return Flight (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Bredon Hill Lad 7-2 (11-6) In touch, went 3rd from 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 14 1/2l behind Wolf Sword (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Winged Express (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Held up, towards rear, headway on inner and in touch when ran out 5 out, at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Just Spot 10-1 (11-9) Always behind, pulled up before last, at Towcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Glendermot (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, mistakes 7th and 11th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Towcester 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
