mid-division off the pace, mistake 2nd, went 3rd 13th, chased winner before 4 out, no impression 2 out, stayed on to close from last, held near finish
pressed leader, led 5th, headed 8th, led 11th, headed 13th, led again next, clear 2 out, edged right flat, held on gamely
held up in rear, hit 1st, not fluent 13th, ridden in 5th after 14th, weakened after 5 out, went remote 3rd 2 out
tracked leading pair who went clear after 4th, hit 12th, weakened after 5 out, left remote 3rd 4 out until 2 out
led until 5th, led 8th, not fluent and headed 11th, mistake next, led 13th, headed 14th, 3rd and weakening when pulled up before 4 out
held up off the pace, fell 13th
not fluent in last, hampered 13th, lost touch next, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division off the pace, mistake 1st, hit 11th and dropped rear, hampered 13th, behind from next
Last season's Hennessy winner Carruthers showed his class when winning easy over 3m2f here on Boxing Day. He never got to the front over hurdles at Cheltenham last week. Junior won on heavy ground at Newcastle on his reappearance and can be forgiven his run in the King George while Cannington Brook came back to form over 3m at Haydock in December, though reserves his best efforts for the Lancashire track. Shaking Hands has won here and at Towcester lately while novice Red Rocco jumps well though hasn't beaten much so far. ALFIE SPINNER couldn't justify favouritism at Sandown four weeks ago but this stamina test should be much more to his liking and he's thrived on heavy ground in the past. Nick Williams' stayer gets the vote with Our Island possibly the most interesting of those racing from out of the handicap.
Cannington Brook (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, strongly challenged from next, forged clear after last, all out, just held on (2 fences omitted), won at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec beating Merry King (11-4) by ns, 10 ran.
Carruthers 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, weakened after next, 9th of 10, well behind Reve De Sivola (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 11-4fav (10-8) Pressed leader, led narrowly 4th, headed and bumped 7th, pressed leader, dropped to 3rd approaching 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, well beaten when went right last, 6th of 11, 27l behind Katenko (10-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Red Rocco (IRE) 8-11fav (11-6) Made all, went left and slipped after 4th, reminder before 10th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on well, in command flat, won at Kelso 2m 7f nov chs (4) hvy in Dec beating The Friary (10-6) by 3 1/2l, 3 ran.
Shaking Hands (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Made all, reminders after 3rd and before 8th, clear 2 out, ridden out, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan beating Ten Fires (11-5) by 13l, 6 ran.
Makethe Mostofnow (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost touch 13th, tailed off 5 out, left in remote 3rd 3 out, 3rd of 4, well behind Court In Motion (11-1) at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grade 2 (1) hvy in Dec.
Harouet (FR) 66-1 (10-1) Mid-division on outside, headway before 1st, lost place when jumped left 7th, pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Monbeg Dude (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Jan, 17 ran.
Incentivise (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden after 10th, outpaced from next, no impression, 6th of 17, 30l behind Monbeg Dude (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Junior 28-1 (11-10) Led or disputed lead to 10th, weakened 4 out, 7th of 9, 29l behind Long Run (11-10) at Kempton 3m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Summery Justice (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway 6th, not fluent 9th, blundered next, went 2nd 13th, led last, driven out, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Apr beating Cottage Oak (10-13) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Our Island (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, outpaced 5 out, never able to get back on terms, 5th of 17, 18l behind Monbeg Dude (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Double Dizzy 12-1 (11-8) Close up, pushed along before 16th, went 3rd from 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 35l behind Well Refreshed (11-1) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
