chased leaders, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, 3rd and one pace run-in
soon in mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders 4th, challenged 2 out, led before the last, 2 lengths ahead last, ridden and stayed on run-in, always doing enough
chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, weakened between last two, struggling when mistake last
well behind, tailed off 3 out, some headway run-in
pulled hard, tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden and pressed between last two, headed before last, 2 lengths 2nd at the last, weakened and lost two places run-in
chased leaders out wide, ridden and edged right between last two, soon outpaced, plugged on again run-in
always towards rear, ridden and beaten before 2 out
led, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened between last two, beaten when tired mistake last
raced keenly, soon steadied mid-division, towards rear when fell 4 out
raced wide early, soon towards rear and never a factor
always in rear, tailed off 3 out
held up towards rear, steady headway after 4th, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, rallied and hit 2 out, ridden between last two, stayed on under pressure in 2nd run-in, not pace to challenge
NonRunner
NonRunner
Bard Of Brittany should be approaching peak fitness and is 2lb lower than when scoring at Plumpton in May. Dorking Boy boasts a decent strike-rate over hurdles and won over fences in October while Apache Creek rattled up a hat-trick last season and may have needed his comeback run at Ffos Las. JETAWAY JOEY took a step forward when landing a novice event at Uttoxeter at the end of October. Though an opening mark of 123 is not overly generous, the form has been franked and Fergus Gregory takes off 3lb. Taunton second Dargiannini should also be thereabouts and top weight should not prevent a big run from Optimise Prime while Wincanton winner Earth Lord is among the least exposed.
Optimise Prime (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Chased leaders on inside, went 2nd 8th until next, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Sporting John (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Earth Lord (IRE) 5-4jfav (10-12) Raced handy, headway to take lead travelling strongly 2 out, quickly went clear, ridden before last and extended advantage, awkward last, eased towards finish, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov beating Grosvenor Court (11-5) by 7 1/2l, 7 ran.
Dargiannini (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led soon after 3 out, headed 2 out, ridden and every chance last, ran on, 2nd of 7, nk behind An Tailliur (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Bard Of Brittany 33-1 (10-3) Raced on inside, never closer than mid-division, beaten on long run before 2 out, 7th of 12, 16 1/4l behind Pileon (10-8) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Dorking Boy 18-1 (10-4) In rear, ridden and some headway into mid division 3 out, no impression from 2 out, 6th of 11, 16 1/4l behind Earlofthecotswolds (10-13) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Jetaway Joey (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led before next, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct beating Baddesley (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Beaufort West (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Raced in fourth, hit 11th, nudged along before 4 out, ridden and weakened before 3 out, well held when fell last, at Kempton 2m 4f (3) gd in May.
Nordano (GER) 7-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, led final bend, not fluent and headed 3 out, led before 2 out, driven flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Go Steady (11-7) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Apache Creek (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Held up, short of room under 4 out, pushed along over 3 out and soon left behind, 6th of 8, 33 1/4l behind To Be Sure (10-3) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
The Domino Effect (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Prominent and disputed the lead, ridden and headed approaching the last, weakened after the last, 8th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Ask Dillon (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Shantou Master (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Chased winner, mistake 6th, lost 2nd and outpaced before 2 out, rallied last, went 2nd again flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Floating Rock (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Scarpia (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Raced keenly, led and disputed, hit 2nd, headed and weakened quickly after 3 out, mistake last, 5th of 7, 30 3/4l behind One Handsome Dude (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f (3) gd in Apr.
Broken Quest (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Pressed leader, led after 5th, headed 7th, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and beaten last, no extra flat, last of 3, 18 1/2l behind Torigni (11-8) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Dec.
Franco D'Aunou (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Midfield, headway to go third 3 out, lost third 2 out, ridden approaching last, plugged on one pace flat, 4th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Champagne Well (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
