close up, led 4th, clear from 2 out, eased towards finish, very easily
towards rear, pushed along after 6th, weakened 7th, in rear when pulled up before 5 out
led headed and not fluent 4th, with winner, ridden and beaten after 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 5 out
held up towards rear, hit 8th, soon headway, went 3rd from 5 out, in 3rd when fell heavily 3 out
held up towards rear, soon mid-division on inner, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden and left poor 3rd 3 out, no impression
in rear, soon pushed along, blundered and unseated rider 9th
Mister Hyde only got his Uttoxeter victory in the stewards' room and his jumping let him down again at Cheltenham next time. Scoter Fontaine has also had problems with the fences in the past, though his confidence will have been boosted by his Hereford win and he may be better treated than last month's C&D third Majala and the mare Empress Orchid. Lackamon was pulled up against experienced handicappers at Wetherby last time and may be best watched here but Upthemsteps can go well off a light weight. CANNINGTON BROOK has a touch of class at this level, however, and was far from disgraced in the Welsh National last time. Providing he doesn't get taken off his feet over this shorter trip, Colin Tizzard's eight-year-old can return to winning ways.
Cannington Brook (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Towards rear, headway 15th, ridden approaching 5 out, one pace, no impression, 5th of 20, 31l behind Le Beau Bai (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Lackamon 9-2 (9-8) Prominent, ridden and weakened 12th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by According To Pete (9-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Majala (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Raced wide, led, mistake 6th, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no impression with winner flat, lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Our Mick (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Mister Hyde (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Bless The Wings (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gs in Jan, 16 ran.
Scoter Fontaine (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in 4th approaching 2nd, headway 5th, led after 4 out, clear 2 out, went left last, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Jan beating Get It On (11-12) by 5l, 4 ran.
Empress Orchid 12-1 (11-8) Chasded clear pair, lost place 7th, behind from next, last of 6, 31l behind Alpha Way (10-9) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Jan.
Monsieur Cadou (FR) 7-2 (10-1) Tracked leaders, closed 7th, ridden after 4 out, 4th and beaten when mistake last, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 12l behind Palace Jester (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Upthemsteps (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, effort to lead after 4 out, ridden between last 2, 1 length clear when not fluent last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Negus de Beaumont (11-0) at Newcastle 3m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
