led 2nd, headed 3rd, led next, not fluent 9th, headed approaching 2 out, 4th and beaten when pecked last, weakened flat
tracked leaders on outside, stumbled and sprawled 3rd, lost place until closed 5th, mistake 6th, pushed along 15th, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led before next, clear last, stayed on well
held up, mistake 5th, jumped left 10th, not fluent 4 out, outpaced next, soon weakened
held up, bumped 10th, went 3rd after 3 out, disputing 2nd before last, no impression on winner, one pace and well held 3rd flat
led until 2nd, led next, headed 4th, not fluent 12th or 13th, not fluent 3 out, landed awkward 2 out, rallied and went 2nd last, no impression on winner
Lil Rockerfeller is a smart staying hurdler but he’s never had the best of luck around here and wasn’t entirely convincing on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter. The 3m trip is probably also a little beyond his best so he could be worth taking on at short odds. Pickamix has plenty of experience over the larger obstacles but has only won once and is facing a stiff task conceding weight all round. Arctic Gold had no excuses when beaten 10 lengths by the mare Treackle Tart at Worcester and is only 5lb better off. SHANNON BRIDGE only scored once over timber but was highly tried and looks the type to make a much better chaser. Given connections, he’s likely to be ready to roll and will know his job.
Pickamix 15-2 (11-5) Led to after 3rd, in touch, pecked 14th, outpaced 3 out, ridden after next, rallied to chase winner flat, always held, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Laurium (11-11) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 11-10fav (11-4) Chased leaders, every chance after 3 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) gd in Oct beating Wenyerreadyfreddie (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Arctic Gold (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) With leader, led 3rd, mistake 11th, headed 2 out, no impression on winner from last, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Treackle Tart (10-5) at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Sep.
Shannon Bridge (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 20, 25 1/4l behind Mr Big Shot (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Treackle Tart (IRE) 11-8 (10-5) Led until 3rd, chased leader, led again 2 out, drawing clear last, easily, won at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Sep beating Arctic Gold (10-12) by 10l, 6 ran.
