always behind, pulled up 2 out
prominent, led 4th, headed after 9th, rallied 2 out, soon one pace
held up towards rear, headway halfway, soon tracking leaders, ridden 5 out, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, weakened 8th, pulled up 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway halfway, chased leaders 4 out, driven to lead after last, ran on
behind when unseated rider 7th
behind, headway 4 out, never on terms
led until 4th, not fluent next, gradually weakened, pulled up 2 out
prominent, weakened after 10th
in touch, ridden to challenge 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, reminders before 9th, behind when pulled up 3 out
always prominent, led after 9th, ridden after 3 out, headed after last, no extra
Last year's winner Lescar's Lad has to be taken seriously again and despite the fact that he may just be a little too high in the weights he looks capable of taking a very weak contest with Minella Lodge and Charlie's Double others to consider. The selection acts on most ground but does prefer a bit of juice in the ground, this trip is ideal and although 17lb higher than when winning this last season he looks the one to be on. Minella Lodge has shown a couple of glimpses of form that could get him involved and he is very lightly raced for his age, but he would prefer faster ground. Charlie's Double drops back in trip and would also prefer faster ground to be at his best, so he is opposable, Brilliant Cut comes from a top yard and would not be a major surprise winner, though he needs to show a bit more first, while Eggmount has trip and ground to suit and is back on a handy mark, so he is respected. However, Lescar's Lad can win this for a second year.
Eggmount (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until ridden and lost place approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Incas (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jul, 11 ran.
Gerrard (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Prominent, reminders after 4th, weakened after 7th, hampered next, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Lazy But Lively (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Lescer's Lad 16-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 11th, ridden and every chance last, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Magot De Grugy (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Brilliant Cut 25-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden 6th and dropped to rear, behind when pulled up in race won by Benetwood (11-0) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Alpha Gamble (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Follow Your Heart (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Minella Lodge 16-1 (10-13) In touch when fell at the 4th in race won by Sou'wester (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Charlies Double 10-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway when hampered 14th, ridden next, hampered 3 out, stayed on one pace approaching 2 out, 4th of 16, 10l behind Carnt Spell (10-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Multeen Gunner 40-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, chased leader to 2nd, remained prominent, not fluent 3rd, lost place 7th, mistakes and behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Mouseski (12-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd in May, 15 ran.
Runshan (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Pulled hard and prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 43l behind Chimichurri (11-5) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov.
Furze Hill (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Soon tailed off, last of 9, well behind Nacadour (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gf in Dec.
Prince of Aragon 40-1 (9-11) In rear, mistake 4th, reminders 5th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Beehawk (11-6) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jun, 15 ran.
Red Jester 33-1 (12-0) Strugg 10; pulled up in race won by Miller's Monarch (12-0) at Sterrebeek 2m 4f ptp gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Behind from 6th, virtually fell and pulled up in race won by Alcatras (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
