raced wide, held up towards rear, headway after 6th, every chance after 2 out, ridden approaching last, one pace flat
mid-division, weakened after 7th
in touch, hit 5th, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up, behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden from 2 out, soon one pace
keen early, in rear, struggling from 7th, tailed off
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, driven and struggling from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before last
prominent, ridden and close 3rd when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
in touch, chased winner 6th until approaching 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
made all, ridden 2 out, jumped left last, stayed on well
held up, headway after 7th, every chance 2 out, found little
in rear, mistake 4th, behind from 6th, tailed off
with winner until approaching 6th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 4th, ridden and no headway from 7th
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, outpaced 2 out, stayed on flat
Nonrunner
A competitive handicap hurdle here where Mendosino tries to defy a 16lb rise but may have to give best to top weight Irish Legend, while Joe Brown could also go well. The selection won at Exeter over a similar trip in very testing ground last time, so conditions should again suit here. He beat the in-form Onefourfun that day, so the form looks rock solid, especially as he won with a fair bit more than the official margin of eight lengths suggests, and he can defy a 7lb penalty to follow up. Mendosino was a 12 length scorer on soft ground at Market Rasen last month and the handicapper has taken no chances, with a 16lb rise to greet connections in the New Year. It is hard to see him defying such a hefty hike, but he is in good heart and can make the frame. Joe Brown has transferred allegiances from the Heather Dalton yard to that of Charlie Longsdon since his last appearance 15 months ago. Soft ground and a trip suits him and with the yard in form and guaranteed freshness he could put up a bold showing at a price. Magical Quest may prove to be better than we have seen so far over fences, but needs to prove he handles cut, and don't rule out Premier Hope in a first-time visor if he enjoys the juice underfoot. However that pair are not betting propositions today, as that distinction goes to Irish Legend.
Irish Legend (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, smooth headway to lead approaching 3 out, pushed clear after next, easily, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft beating Onefourfun (11-6) by 8l, 17 ran.
Kristoffersen 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd and mistake next, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Roaringwater (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Take A Mile (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, in touch, headway 3 out, soon every chance, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Stumped (11-7) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Curragh View (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Chased leader until blundered badly and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Minella Tipperary (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Mendosino (GER) 15-8fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, led next, clear last, eased towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec beating That's Racing (10-13) by 12l, 15 ran.
Water King (USA) 28-1 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened after 8th, tailed off, 13th of 18, well behind Risk Runner (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Master Wells (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 6th of 15, 17l behind Not Left Yet (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Magical Quest 25-1 (10-8) In rear when fell at the 2nd in race won by Basic Fact (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Pearly Star 8-1 (10-11) In rear, ridden 8th, effort after 9th, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 15, 42l behind Dan Buoy (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Arisea (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 3rd, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 25l behind Sebastiano (11-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Joe Brown 6-1 (11-9) Prominent, led 12th, pressed when fell 2 out in race won by Over The Blues (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct '06, 10 ran.
Give Me Love (FR) 40-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 3rd when blundered badly 12th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Never So Blue (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Bold Trump 33-1 (11-5) Prominent until 3rd, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 15, 18l behind Primitive Academy (11-3) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Dec.
Lyricist's Dream 25-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, led, clear when fell 3 out in race won by Timpo (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Lyon 28-1 (11-5) Led, headed 8th, hampered 11th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 13, 37l behind Saunders Road (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Heart Springs 11-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 5th, went 3rd after 7th, hard ridden and no impression on leading pair approaching 2 out, 3rd of 18, 13l behind Big Rob (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Ricardo's Chance 11-2 (10-13) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, chased winner 3 out until approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 14, 8l behind Kealshore Lad (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Premier Hope (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, 16th of 17, well behind National Trust (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Dec.
