held up well in rear approaching 1st, making headway approaching 16th, 5th approaching 4 out, well beaten in 6th flat
mid-division approaching 1st, in 4th after 10th, 3rd approaching 4 out, well beaten in 5th last
chasing leaders approaching 1st, losing place before 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
tracking leaders approaching 1st, losing place and ridden 15th, mistake 16th, pulled up before 4 out
(limited comments due to very poor visibility) In touch approaching 1st, 4th approaching 4 out, in lead last, all out
tracking leaders approaching 1st, towards rear when stumbled approaching 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division approaching 1st, towards rear approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear approaching 1st, tracking leaders 15th, 6th approaching 4 out, 4th last
in lead approaching 1st, still prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, 3rd last, one pace
held up in rear, making headway approaching 14th, close 2nd approaching 4 out, still 2nd last, stayed on towards finish
chasing leader approaching 1st, same position before 14th, in rear after 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Cases can be made for the majority in a competitive renewal of this valuable chase but DANCING MIST is our suggestion ahead of Supreme Keano and Peut Etre Sivola although there are reservations. One negative is the modest record of six year olds in this contest although not all that many have gone to post with realistic chances and they have a stronger hand this time around. Peut Etre Sivola has looked an improved performer this season and shapes as though he'll see out this extra distance but he's up in the weights in a stronger race. Dancing Mist impressed on his chase debut when going close at this track over three miles where he had Present M'Lord back in third. The Alners' horse has a 2lb swing in the weights but is more exposed than Victor Dartnall's runner who shaped as though he'll stay further and he's given the vote despite also having to prove himself on ground this testing. Supreme Keano has failed to complete on his last three starts but he looked just the type to enjoy further success in this sphere when beating Notabotheronme at Chepstow in January. He has work to do to confirm the form at the weights but could well fare better now tried in blinkers. Go West is respected for a yard that does well in these races, Shaka's Pearl has received a hefty hike in the weights but neither he, nor Newbay Bob and Lavenoak Lad can be ruled out with any degree of certainty with their light weights an advantage under these conditions. A good contest where the unexposed Dancing Mist may be able to prevail.
Supreme Keano (IRE) 15-2 (10-10) Towards rear, blundered 2nd, reminders 10th, blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Peut Etre Sivola (FR) 9-2fav (10-0) Held up towards rear, smooth headway into mid-division 9th, tracked leaders going well 4 out, 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, 3 lengths clear last, driven out and stayed on strongly, won at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov beating L'aventure (10-9) by 3l, 11 ran.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Mid division, reminders after 8th, dropped to rear and struggling 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 16th, in a race won by Peut Etre Sivola (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 11 ran.
Dancing Mist (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, slightly hampered 1st, badly hampered 2nd, ridden after 14th, stayed on from 4 out, went 3rd approaching last, rider dropped whip after last, soon went 2nd, stayed on well, not quite get there, 2nd of 13, hd behind Gentle Ranger (11-11) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Present M'lord (IRE) 9-2fav (10-13) Chased leaders, mistake 4 out, chased winner next, still every chance flat, held towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Gentle Ranger (11-11) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Notabotheronme (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, ridden and struggling 12th, no impression after, 6th of 15, well behind Razor Royale (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Go West (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Tracked leader to 4th, dropped rear next, headway on inside 11th, chased winner 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Fortification (11-7) at Hereford 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Shaka's Pearl 6-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, led 2 out, clear approaching last (no time taken), won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Jump Jet (12-0) by 17l, 7 ran.
Newbay Bob 11-4fav (10-6) Led until blundered and unseated rider 17th, in a race won by Tarquinius (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Lavenoak Lad 8-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, chased winner approaching 4 out, ridden and stayed on from last, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sir Winston (10-13) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Zimbabwe (FR) 11-4fav (10-7) Made most to 6th, tracked leader, led again before 10th, headed 13th, lost place after 4 out, rallied between last 2, kept on no impression, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Ya I Know (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
