mid-division, under pressure 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, kept on well under pressure after last
behind, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, no extra approaching last
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 5 out, ridden to challenge after 3 out, led approaching last, ran on well
pulled hard in touch, joined leader after 4th, hard driven 2 out, weakened before last
mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased leaders approaching last, never on terms
held up towards rear, outpaced 5 out, stayed on approaching last, never on terms
mid-division, weakened 5 out
always behind, pulled up before last
held up in rear, headway to chased leaders 5 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
led, pulled hard, mistake 4th, strongly challenged from 3 out, headed approaching last, stayed on gamely towards finish
prominent, effort after 3 out, weakened next
prominent, lost place before 5 out, behind when pulled up before next
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, outpaced next, stayed on well closing stages
chased leaders, lost place before 4 out
held up in rear, under pressure 5 out, never dangerous
mid-division, weakened before 4 out
Nonrunner
Zulu Oscar made amends for an unlucky fall at Doncaster by scoring at Kempton last time but will need to settle better to stay this longer trip. It's no surprise to see Value At Risk back over hurdles after two runs over fences and he could be well treated. Baron Alco has a perfect record this season and had Simply A Legend and Sugar Baron behind at Kempton last month. Royal Guardsman won at Newbury in November and Lil Rockerfeller doesn't know how to run a bad race, though is now high enough in the weights. Theinval may also struggle off his current mark while stable companion Kilcrea Vale has a bit to prove at this level but Rock The Kasbah should give a good account, though the form of his Haydock success hasn't been franked. THEO'S CHARM (NAP) has only won a couple of minor contests at Plumpton so far but Nick Gifford holds him in high regard and he's given the handicapper little to work with. He may well be thrown in here off a mark of 132 if his trainer's optimism is warranted.
Theinval (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Held up, headway 3rd, went 2nd 10th, edged left and no impression on winner after 2 out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 9 3/4l behind Coologue (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner before last but stayed on and well clear of rest, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Camping Ground (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Kilcrea Vale (IRE) 1-3fav (11-5) Set steady pace, joined when fell 2 out, at Ascot 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Rock The Kasbah (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead before last, ran on well, won at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Aerlite Supreme (11-3) by 8l, 9 ran.
Value At Risk 11-10 (11-0) Held up in touch, fell 2nd, at Huntingdon 3m (4) sft in Jan.
Zulu Oscar 5-1 (11-4) Prominent, led after 3 out, stayed on well, ridden out, edged right towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Affaire D'honneur (10-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
Unanimite (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some late minor headway, never on terms, 10th of 21, 15 1/2l behind Jolly's Cracked It (11-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Dubawi Island (FR) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden and effort after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind If In Doubt (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Monsieur Gibraltar (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, faltered at path crossing after 5th, headway 3 out, one pace 2 out, 5th and weakening when mistake last, 6th of 13, 17 3/4l behind Zulu Oscar (11-4) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Simply A Legend 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, tracked leaders next, ridden to join winner run in, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Baron Alco (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Baron Alco (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Made all, ridden 2 out, joined run in, found extra towards finish, gamely, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Simply A Legend (11-5) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Ebony Express 12-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, some headway after 3 out, ridden and no impression before next, 6th of 11, 25 1/4l behind Rayvin Black (10-13) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Royal Guardsman (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Led 1st, made rest, awkward 2 out, strongly pressed last, found extra under pressure run-in, held on gamely, all out, won at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Ibis Du Rheu (11-5) by hd, 9 ran.
Theo's Charm (IRE) 4-11fav (11-12) With leader, led after 4 out, drew clear from 2 out, driven out, comfortably, won at Plumpton 2m (4) hvy in Jan beating Clayton (11-5) by 23l, 10 ran.
Sugar Baron (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, kept on, never near leaders, 6th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Baron Alco (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Minstrels Gallery (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, not fluent next, outpaced before 2 out, plugged on flat, 4th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Rayvin Black (10-13) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Mr Fitzroy (IRE) 11-2 (10-1) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, led 3 out, driven clear after next, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Hollywood All Star (10-3) by 6l, 10 ran.
Lightentertainment (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Towards rear, not much room on bend after 3 out, struggling and no chance after, last of 10, 33 1/2l behind Simply A Legend (10-5) at Sandown 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
