held up towards rear, headway after 8th, ridden after 4 out, soon slightly outpaced, stayed on again from 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, some headway when blundered badly 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, mistake 4th, weakened 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
prominent until blundered badly 11th, soon dropped rear, plenty to do 3 out, stayed on well again from 2 out, went 4th flat
held up towards rear, blundered 9th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, led 13th, mistake 4 out, stumbled 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, faded from last
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
in touch until weakened quickly 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
in touch, headway after 13th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, kept on well, ridden out
held up towards rear, headway 11th, ridden after 4 out, not pace to get on terms
tracked leaders until slow 2nd, mid-division, headway to join leaders 8th, not fluent 11th, pressed leader again from next, ridden after 4 out, soon one pace
in touch until 11th, weakened after 4 out
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, some late progress, never dangerous
prominent until 12th, never back on terms
mid-division, headway 7th, weakened 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
led until 13th, ridden after 3 out, rallied approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, always held by winner
Shouldhavehadthat impressed with a recent win at Newbury but a 12lb rise in the weights and a step out of Novice company means that we will take him on with ALEXANDERTHEGREAT whilst Wot Way Chief and Double Dizzy make it to the shortlist. Returning from a long absence when seen recently at the track, the selection's second to Hoopy reads pretty well. Assuming he doesn't bounce, a big run should be on the cards despite a 5lb rise in the weights. Double Dizzy was third in that race and should be respected, whilst Best Profile was fourth. The latter was also returning from a long absence and ran a stormer; he must be feared. Royal Kicks has been holding the form well, Wot Way Chief won convincingly on his chasing debut at Newcastle pitched straight into handicap company, whilst Runshan and Young Lorcan are well-treated on old form. Saunders Road and Cousin Nicky both have the ability to play a hand, however it is Alexanderthegreat who receives the vote.
Double Dizzy 5-1jt-fav (10-13) Held up in rear, steady headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders from next, blundered and weakened last, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Alright Now M'Lad (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Shouldhavehadthat (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, challenged 4 out, led soon after, in command when hit 2 out, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov beating Tricky Trickster (11-4) by 7l, 11 ran.
Which Pocket (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) In touch, went third approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, well behind Endless Power (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Alexanderthegreat (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) With leader, not fluent 7th, led 11th, not fluent 4 out, ridden 2 out, edged right after last, soon headed, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Hoopy (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Nov.
Launde (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Held up, steady headway from 11th, chased winner after 3 out, driven and held before next, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Lidjo De Rouge (10-8) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Cousin Nicky 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 8th, hit 12th, ridden and headed when mistake 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Chabrimal Minster (10-13) at Chepstow 3m clm chs (3) gd in Apr.
Wot Way Chief 4-1 (11-11) Always prominent, led before 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Stormy Beech (10-5) by 7l, 8 ran.
Best Profile (IRE) 17-2 (10-1) Chased leaders, challenged 4 out, still every chance when mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 17, 19l behind Hoopy (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Nov.
Saunders Road (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, ridden after 15th, chased winner 3 out, no impression, weakened last, lost 2nd finish, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Go For One (10-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Always in rear, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Laskari (10-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Very Cool 5-2fav (10-1) In touch when very badly hampered 12th, dropped rear, hit 14th, never able to get back on terms, 11th of 16, well behind Hello Bud (11-8) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Noble Bily (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, raced keenly, not clear run after 11th, headway approaching 3 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Artipreuil (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Royal Kicks (FR) 7-2fav (11-5) In touch, raced keenly, mistake 5th, led 13th, headed 3 out, regained lead approaching 2 out, ridden before last, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Najca De Thaix (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft i.
Runshan (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Led to 2nd, led again 6th, headed 11th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 22l behind The Hollow Bottom (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Oct.
Young Lorcan 9-4fav (10-5) Held up, blundered 15th, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 32l behind Methodical (10-4) at Hereford 3m 1f clm chs (3) gs.
Junctiontwentyfour 5-1 (11-4) With leader, ridden and weakened 5 out, 7th of 12, well behind Chigorin (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
