held up behind in touch, driven after 4 out, never able to challenge, weakened next, tailed off
made all, 5 lengths clear when hit 2 out, stayed on well, hit last, comfortably
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
prominent on outside, clear 2nd after 4 out, outpaced next, ridden and no impression in clear 3rd before last
in touch, tracked leading pair after 4 out, ridden after next, went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, driven after 4 out, 4th and beaten next, soon weakened, tailed off
keen early, held up behind in touch, struggling 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
Nonrunner
Most of these would have some sort of chance on their best form. Zarzal arrives off the back of a hard-fought win over fences at Ludlow but may be more effective over sharper tracks. Ubaldo Des Menhies and Act Of Kalanisi have been competing at a slightly higher level but James Pollard was beaten in a seller last time while Santo Thomas was well behind on his reappearance at Leicester, though should strip fitter now. CHEMISTRY MASTER hasn't run badly in either start this season and should be cherry-ripe now. Martin McIntyre again takes off 10lb and that could be a big factor on today's ground.
Ubaldo Des Menhies (FR) 15-2 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 12, 38l behind Moujik Borget (11-1) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Act Of Kalanisi (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 12th of 16, 26l behind Saphir Du Rheu (11-0) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Zarzal (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Mid-division, chased leaders after 4th, went 2nd before 4 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, just held on, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Last Shot (11-4) by shd, 8 ran.
Chemistry Master 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, every chance before 3 out, beaten next, 5th of 10, 8l behind Waterunder (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Santo Thomas (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Prominent on inside, lost place approaching 5th, well beaten before 2 out, 9th of 11, 41l behind Zafranagar (10-5) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Drussell (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, hit 4th, headway and hung right before 2 out, no extra last, 6th of 11, 20l behind Zafranagar (10-5) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Pistolet Noir (FR) 11-1 (11-9) Held up well in rear, steady headway 4 out, stayed on under pressure to 5th before 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Nicky Nutjob (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Aug, 6 ran.
James Pollard (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Gigondas (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in Nov.
