not fluent close up, ridden 13th, soon struggling, pulled up 4 out
led, headed 13th, weakened 4 out, pulled up soon after next
tracked leaders lost place 9th, headway 14th, chased leaders 2 out, every chance last, stayed on to lead near finish
not fluent, raced wide in touch, awkward 5th, headway to press leaders 13th, ridden to join leader 3 out, weakened flat
prominent, mistake and lost place 4th, headway to go prominent again 7th, led 13th, ridden 3 out, joined last, headed near finish
in touch, dropped to rear 6th, headway 11th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, pecked on landing 7th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
always in rear, pulled up 4 out
Nicky Henderson has a good record here so Aigle De La See must be respected although the jury is rather out at present with regard to the topweight. Lovable Fruity O'Rooney continues to defy advancing years in style and the fires still burn brightly judged by his last two appearances. He'll be a danger to all if he gets into a good rhythm around this idiosyncratic track. In contrast, AMIDON has only tackled fences twice but looks a useful recruit to the discipline for a yard that has an excellent record around here. Hopefully, he can belie his inexperience as he looks to have plenty more to offer over the larger obstacles. Listen Boy and Ultimatum Du Roy are consistent enough but do usually tend to find one too good.
Aigle De La See (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Prominent early, mid-division, tracked leaders 7th, in touch when badly hampered and brought down 11th, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Fruity O'Rooney 7-1 (11-7) Led until 14th, chased winner until approaching 3 out, 2nd again run-in, no chance with winner, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 9 1/2l behind Baby Shine (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Beforeall (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Raced on outside, mid-division, headway before 5th, led next, headed 10th, lost place 15th, well behind 18th, pulled up after, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Amidon (FR) 15-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, disputed lead 13th, lost place 4 out, soon ridden, went 2nd again last, stayed on to press winner flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Silvergrove (11-7) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Regal Flow 14-1 (11-7) Not always fluent, held up, mistake 6th, reminder next, mistake and driven 12th, mistake 13th, behind 3 out, stayed on flat, 5th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Bishops Road (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Bucking The Trend 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 9th, pushed along in 6th before 14th, weakened before 4 out, soon pulled up, at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Listen Boy (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Mid-division but in touch, chased leaders 7th, ridden to challenge 4 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Rigadin De Beauchene (10-11) at Haydock 3m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Ultimatum Du Roy (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, dist behind West Of The Edge (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
