tracked leader, led 1st, headed 11th, weakened next, soon eased, behind when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, mistake 12th, soon weakened, pulled up 4 out
held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, led 11th, headed 3 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, mistakes 1st and 6th, headway 9th, chased leaders 4 out, one pace approaching 2 out
led until 1st, remained prominent, slow 4th, under pressure halfway, soon lost place, pulled up 11th
held up in touch, chased leaders 7th, led 3 out, soon hung left, stayed on under pressure, all out
Sporting Rebel's form figures may look impressive but he's high enough in the weights now. Costa Courta was pulled up on his reappearance but should strip fitter here, while it will be interesting to see if there is any market support for Tamadot. Philip Hobbs' nine-year-old won a novice event at Taunton two years ago and has infinitely more scope than today's rivals if his trainer has got him back to his best after a prolonged absence. Money Order is capable of better than he's shown so far this winter but we'll take a chance that SWEDEN didn't enjoy the delights of Hexham last time. On his win at Wetherby in October, the bottom weight doesn't look badly treated on his handicap bow.
Costa Courta (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, lost place halfway, pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Summery Justice (11-9) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Tamadot (IRE) Evensfav (10-11) Tracked winner, mistake 7th, and 4 out weakened 2 out, 4th of 5, 17l behind Soixante (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Feb '09.
Pak Jack (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division on inside when fell 11th, in a race won by Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Money Order (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened soon after, 12th of 18, well behind Universal Soldier (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Sporting Rebel (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, chased leader after 8th until before 12th where jumped slowly, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied flat to take modest 3rd last stride, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Zarrafakt (11-8) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Kildonnan 5-1 (11-6) Not fluent, in rear, reminder after 12th, went modest 4th 18th, well behind 4 out, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Lavenoak Lad (9-7) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
Sweden (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 9th, in rear from 12th, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 8, 18l behind Club Class (10-5) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Federstar (GER) 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, 9th after 7th, fell 11th, in a race won by Misstree Dancer (11-3) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
