mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened quickly
chased leaders, joined leader approaching 5th to 6th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 6th, ridden to chase winner and hit 2 out, no extra towards finish
in touch, led 3 out, driven out
prominent, led 7th to 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, hung left approaching last, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, held close home
behind, headway approaching 7th, weakened 3 out
pulled hard, soon in touch, hit 2nd and 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders to 7th, soon weakened
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
behind, headway after 4 out, weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Ever Present gets the nod here with Better Days, Malleton and Shamawan fancied to provide stern challenges from the rest. Shamawan has been very lightly raced over the last couple of seasons but fared well at Chepstow at the start of last month. This trip may be the bare minimum for him these days though and he may find a few sharper on this occasion. Malleton was in the process of running a big race on his British debut at Hereford when he was last seen out and should be capable of getting involved if his jumping holds up. He acted well on soft ground during his time in France and he would be dangerous to underestimate here. Better Days reverts to hurdles on a comparatively lenient mark and is one to seriously consider if he is backed. His yard have been flying of late and he rates as a fair option for each-way backers. However, Ever Present, who is very much the favoured runner from the Nicky Richards yard, looks a more likely type for a race like this. A galloping track ideally suits this son of Presenting and, with the ground conditions to suit, he can gets his season off to a flyer.
Habitual Dancer 66-1 (10-11) Chased leader until approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 14th of 23, 27l behind Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Nov.
Ever Present (IRE) 13-8fav (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 7th, hit 3 out, led last, ridden out, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Apr beating Roobihoo (10-10) by 2l, 10 ran.
Vicario 20-1 (10-4) In touch, mistake 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nathos (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Better Days (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) In touch, went 2nd 13th, weakened from last, 7th of 23, 17l behind Hakim (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov.
Sharp Jack (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-0) Held up keen in rear, mistake and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Terivic (11-0) at Towcester 2m nov chs (D) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Top Style (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 14, 33l behind Diamond Sal (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Nov.
Just Beth 33-1 (10-3) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 12, 9l behind Covent Garden (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Nov.
Shamawan (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Held up, headway 8th, led 3 out, headed and no extra close home, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind On Y Va (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
