Formwatch

Alexei (GER) 10-3fav (11-4) Midfield, not fluent 3 out, good headway before 2 out, going best in behind leaders rounding home turn, went second before last, led flat and soon went clear, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov beating Helnwein (10-13) by 6l, 18 ran.

Live Conti (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, jumped left, chased leaders, went second 3 out, ridden to challenge after 2 out, switched right round winner before last, hung left last, kept on, no match for winner, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Murcia (10-9) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.

Sticktotheplan (FR) Evensfav (11-7) Wore red hood to post, mid-division, closed up before 4 out, pushed along in 4th 2 out, stayed on but not pace to challenge, 3rd of 6, 5 1/2l behind Diamond Hunter (11-2) at Haydock 2m (1) gs in Nov.

Joyeuse (FR) 11-10fav (10-12) Prominent on outer, went second after 4th, led 4 out, awkward 3 out and pushed along, re-challenged and headed 2 out, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Mirabad (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec.

Wilful (IRE) 17-2 (11-9) Handy, not fluent 1st, lost a place approaching 3 out, closed in to track leader before 2 out, ridden after 2 out and dropped to 3rd approaching last, stayed on one pace run-in, 3rd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Celtic Dino (11-12) at Chepstow 2m (2) gd in Oct.

Fiercely Proud (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Prominent, shaken up after 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace after last, 5th of 18, 13 1/2l behind Alexei (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.

Faivoir (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on outer, joined leaders 3 out, went second and challenging rounding home turn, lost second before last, no extra and weakened run-in, 3rd of 18, 13l behind Alexei (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.

Helnwein (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Wore hood to post, in touch, made headway after 5th, in behind leaders going well 3 out, challenging 2 out, shaken up to lead rounding home turn, ridden and faced challenge last, headed flat, ran on but no match for winner, 2nd of 18, 6l behind Alexei (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.

Welsh Charger (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Led, headed 4th, pressed leaders 3 out, outpaced 2 out, ridden out wide rounding home turn, ran on same pace flat, 4th of 18, 13 1/4l behind Alexei (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.

Wreckless Eric 10-1 (10-13) Prominent, mistake 5th, ridden when not fluent 2 out, weakened before last, 12th of 20, 27l behind Wellington Arch (10-6) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.

Hardy Du Seuil (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, led narrowly 4 out, strongly challenged and ridden 2 out, joined last, stayed on gamely run-in to forge ahead final 110 yards, won at Windsor 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating The Hardest Geezer (11-4) by 1/2l, 9 ran.

Mondo Man 7-4 (11-0) Held up in last, not fluent 3 out, went second going well before 2 out, led approaching last, headed when mistake last, rallied flat but held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Mossy Fen Road (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Nov.

Hot Fuss (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Handy in second, awkward 1st, pushed along after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 8, 18 1/2l behind Tutti Quanti (11-1) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.