tracked leaders in 4th place, went 3rd from 4 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
led to 6th, tracked winner, ridden before last, kept on and always held
in touch, outpaced from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
with leader, led 6th, ridden before 2 out, kept on strongly from 2 out
in rear, headway and 4th from 4 out, ridden before 2 out, mistake last, one pace
tracked leaders, pushed along 7 out, soon outpaced
Falcons Fall has won over the trip though over hurdles and makes his chasing debut. Crystal Lad showed a bit more promise on just his third start over fences at Ludlow and is a likely improver while Nightline ran quite well when runner-up over track and trip, though could have done without a 4lb rise. Red Infantry finished five lengths behind the latter that day and has a visor for the first time but it's GENERAL MAHLER who looks the one to beat. A winner on soft ground over hurdles, he was making his chasing debut in similar conditions at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and was gaining on the winner with every stride over that extended 2m5f. Doktor Glaz hasn't been beaten far in any of his starts over fences, though all on quicker ground.
Crystal Lad (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway from 5 out, ridden 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 9 1/4l behind Audacious Plan (11-9) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Nightline 5-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 4th, headed 5th, jumped right 9th, led 11th, headed 13th, stayed pressing winner, held flat, plugged on, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Powerful Symbol (11-5) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Falcons Fall (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, reminders after 6th, weakened after 8th, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Dandy Duke (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Red Infantry (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Held up, headway 9th, ridden 4 out, 3rd and beaten from next, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Powerful Symbol (11-5) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
General Mahler (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up behind, headway on outside after 4 out, tracked leaders next, outpaced in 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well to chase winner flat, just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Kimberlite Candy (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Doktor Glaz (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, driven approaching 4 out, outpaced in 3rd 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Rancher Lass (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
