tracked leaders, outpaced from 5 out, hit 3 out
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway to chase leaders before 4th, went 3rd and hit 3 out, mistake last when weakening
tracked leader, pressed leader 4 out, ridden before 2 out, led run-in, soon edged left, kept on
led, joined from 4 out, ridden before next, no extra and headed run-in
held up in rear, jumped slow and detached from 5th, joined group in rear but in touch from 6th, pushed along before 4 out, not fluent 2 out, went 3rd last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, towards rear from 6th, pecked 8th, blundered 10th, soon driven along and weakened, pulled up before 4 out
Stoway had little chance to shine from his high handicap mark after arriving from France and has had very little racing since landing a novice chase at Bangor almost four years ago. He ran well enough over a trip too short at Taunton last time to put him in the frame for this. Work Boy needs a real stiff test of stamina as he showed when scoring over 3m1f at Wetherby. He may find this on the short side but it should prove ideal for Double Default, though the latter has been showing better form over hurdles. FINLAY hasn't had much experience and his jumping has left plenty to be desired but he appeared to improve a little in that department when runner-up to Antonius Caesar at Leicester and can make the necessary progress to take this.
Sotovik (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, soon lost place and dropped to rear, reminders after 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Reindeer Dippin (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy, 7 ran.
Stoway (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd or 4th, pushed along approaching 6th, under pressure when hit 8th, stayed on approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Bedarra Boy (10-10) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Work Boy 3-1 (11-3) Always close up, reminder 5th, led after 10th, headed before 11th, left in lead after 12th, ridden before 4 out, hit 2 out, kept on, driven out, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Jan beating Shrewd Investor (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Double Default (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Led, ridden before 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Beamazed (11-10) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Finlay 6-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, mistake 7th, headway approaching 14th, chased winner after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, every chance last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Antonius Caesar (11-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Norminster 14-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, ridden and not fluent 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 10, 22l behind Tartan Snow (11-5) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
