mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 6th, blundered 7th, headway approaching 4 out, beaten approaching last
held up, mistake 2nd, never dangerous
prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, behind when fell last
held up in rear, pushed along after 8th, no response, well beaten 11th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, effort 9th, blundered, lost place 10th, behind after
held up, hit 8th, headway from 4 out, no impression on leading pair approaching last
in touch, not fluent 7th, hit 10th and next, soon outpaced, stayed on from 3 out, hit 2 out, no impression, 5th when blundered last
led to 6th, led 7th to 8th, remained handy, weakened from 4 out, blundered badly 2 out
prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression approaching 2 out
settled mid-division on inside, mistake 11th, headway after, led 3 out, stayed on well flat
Nonrunner
Plenty can be given a chance here with the tentative vote going to Daldini ahead of All Star, Borora and Bishop's Bridge. The selection unseated his rider last time out before the race had started in earnest but her had previously looked progressive and Sue Smith's gelding is suited by some cut underfoot. Stablemate Flake needs a check in the betting having won last time, whilst Bambi De L'Orme ran well in defeat last time and may appreciate this seemingly easier company. Bishop's Bridge is another who drops in class, whilst Surfboard had looked progressive in easier races earlier this season but may now be in the handicappers grip. Echo Point is yet another for consideration, however we will return to Daldini as the selection.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Prominent, not fluent 10th, blundered 3 out, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on from last until no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 9, 6l behind O'Toole (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Dec.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Behind, jumped slowly 7th, headway 12th, chased leaders 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 12l behind Kelrev (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Echo Point (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Blundered 1st, led, headed before 4 out, beaten when not fluent next, 3rd of 4, 28l behind Twist Magic (11-9) at Kempton 2m Grad Ch (2) gd in Nov.
All Star (GER) 5-1 (10-8) Tracked leader to 7th, ridden 4 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Master Minded (11-7) at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) gs.
Daldini 15-2 (11-11) In touch, hit 6th, lost place when blundered and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Nirvana Swing (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Surfboard (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Towards rear, brief effort 4 out, never a factor, 7th of 14, 15l behind Vodka Bleu (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs.
Borora 4-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on after 2 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 3f lst hcp chs (1) gf in Nov.
Pretty Star (GER) 5-1 (11-2) In touch, driven along 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Black Hills (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Flake 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs beating Divex (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lampion du Bost (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 20l behind Master Sebastian (10-6) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
Edmo Yewkay (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up, headway and in touch 6th, outpaced throughout, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 5l behind Nirvana Swing (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Dictum (GER) 9-1 (11-7) Chased leader, disputed to 4 out, left in lead 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened, tired and well beaten when refused refused in race won by Turpin Green (11-7) at Haydock 2m 5f Grad Ch (2) hvy in Dec, 3 ran.
