tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up next
led, hit 3rd, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leader next, weakened before last
mid-division weakened before 3 out, pulled up next
in touch, lost place before 4th, behind when pulled up 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened before 4 out
behind, headway 2 out, chased leaders next, hit last, soon weakened
held up, smooth headway after 3 out, soon tracking leaders, ridden approaching last, stayed on same pace
always behind, pulled up 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway 4th, soon prominent, led before 3 out, hit next, stayed on well
held up, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on
mid-division, headway before 3 out, weakened before next
Nonrunner
Sea The Light is nominated ahead of Daraybad and Dishdasha. Alan King looks to have a progressive type on his hands and the money proved to be spot on last month at Leicester and he should be more than capable of following up despite carrying top weight. Daraybad has been an expensive flop on more than one occasion and while his reputation has been tall, he has much to do on the track to warrant it. Dishdasha barely stays this trip and was mugged close home by Love Angel at Fontwell. Rain would not help. The Local was a progressive individual last year but might just need the run first time out. Tony McCoy rides elsewhere and this could be the difference between success and failure. Sunisa failed to build upon a Haydock victory but has place claims in this event. San Antonio went up 15lb for a recent win at Bangor and this does not look to be the handicap snip he once was. Sea The Light looks progressive and we do not desert him on this occasion.
Sea The Light 2-1fav (11-8) Chased leader, not fluent 4th, led 3 out, driven out, won at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov beating Flamand (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
The Local 4-1 (11-5) Made all, driven along from 8th, hard pressed from last, all out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov chs (3) gd in Apr beating Lord On The Run (10-12) by a nk, 7 ran.
Three Ships 40-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Sea The Light (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Flaming Weapon 10-11fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leading pair 6th, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Trompette (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Quasimodo (GB) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, hit 3 out and weakened quickly before next, 11th of 13, well behind Bureaucrat (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Caliban (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Led and jumped right, headed 6th, not fluent and lost place 3 out, no danger after, 6th of 10, 29l behind King Eider (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (E) gf in Aug '05.
Reaching Out (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 12, 6l behind Sea The Light (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Dishdasha (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Held up, headway after 6th, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no extra when headed final 40 yards, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Love Angel (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Najca De Thaix (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Held up, struggling from 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Kercabellec (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Daraybad (FR) 10-3fav (11-5) Held up in touch, headway throughout, ridden to chase leaders soon after, hung right flat and one pace, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind La Dolfina (11-0) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Sunisa (IRE) 7-2 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 12, 7l behind Sea The Light (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Clouding Over 13-2 (11-11) Held up and never dangerous, 5th of 8, 37l behind College Ace (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
San Antonio 9-2 (10-2) Chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, 25l behind Daryal (11-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Held up and keen, chased leaders 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Tarlac (11-3) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Nov.
