prominent, led after 3rd, clear before 4 out, stayed on strongly and drew further clear from next
in rear, not fluent 6th, soon well behind
led, headed after 3rd, lost 2nd before 4 out, 4th and weakening when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, soon pushed along and never looked happy, reminders after 4th, lost touch after 6th
held up in rear, headway after 6th, 3rd after 4 out, no impression on winner, well held before 2 out, getting very tried before last
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, 2nd before 4 out, no impression on winner and well held before 2 out
prominent until 2nd, tracked leaders, pushed along after 4th, lost touch after 6th, went very remote 4th before 2 out
Nonrunner
Lil Rockerfeller won this last year when carrying 4lb less. Neil King’s charge is as tough as old boots and won’t surrender his crown easily as he’s run well behind the likes of Unowhatimeanharry and Yanworth this season though, along with Camping Ground, was behind L’AMI SERGE (NAP) in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. The latter has subsequently chased home The New One and Clyne in this grade at Haydock and, though not straightforward, is the clear pick of the weights today. Adrien Du Pont was still in touch when falling in that Cheltenham race and could be a danger with a clear round but Different Gravey has been chasing and this may be a confidence-booster. Le Rocher steps up from handicap company but did win in this grade in 2014 and his yard is in good form.
Camping Ground (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden and outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 36 1/4l behind Agrapart (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Shelford (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair, struggling in rear before 9th, 8th of 11, dist behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Adrien Du Pont (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th, not fluent next, closed 6th, shaken up and just over 4 lengths 5th when mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Different Gravey (IRE) 8-11fav (11-5) 4th or 5th, shaken up from 4th, hit and pecked 7th, jumped very moderately after, closed 8th, given reminders, struggling 10th, well behind before 3 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Whisper (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gs in Dec.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) 13-8 (11-4) In rear, headway before 4 out, every chance last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 5, 4 3/4l behind The New One (11-12) at Haydock 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Le Rocher (FR) 13-8fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, ridden to lead after next, 2 lengths clear last, held on near finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Tintern Theatre (10-10) by 1l, 8 ran.
Third Intention (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, dist behind Ziga Boy (10-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 11-4 (11-8) Held up, in 5th, not fluent 2nd, closed next, ridden from 5th, 4th and beaten when jumped left and not fluent last, weakened flat, 4th of 6, 13 1/4l behind Agrapart (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
