bit keen, held up in last pair, went left 5th, headway on inside after 4 out, stayed on into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
jumped boldly, made all, went left 9th, came clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
bit keen, tracked leaders, went 2nd briefly and bumped 4th, went 2nd 8th, well held when mistake 2 out, weakened into 3rd at the last
last pair, mistake 8th, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders on outside, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakened next
chased winner, jumped right 4th, hit 6th and next, lost 2nd 8th, outpaced next, brief rally on long run before 3 out, weakened before next
always in rear, awkward 1st, no chance when mistake 9th, plugged on into modest 4th last
The form figures of ON THE SLOPES clearly indicate he's in the grip of the handicapper but, that said, there is also no doubt that he's a really consistent performer at or around Class 2-3 level. His latest run at Cheltenham was commendable and this drop back in trip of a couple of furlongs could just be ideal for Chris Gordon's charge. Not That Fuisse remains open to improvement over fences and is seen as shortlist material despite topweight. He was far from disgraced behind the sadly ill-fated Warthog in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup when last seen. Consistent course and distance winner, Celtic Joy, and the solid Jaboticaba can also take a hand in a decent affair.
Not That Fuisse (FR) 7-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway on outside 12th, ridden and beaten after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 13, 24 1/4l behind Warthog (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
On The Slopes 15-2 (10-8) Mid-division, headway on outside 9th, led before 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 12 1/2l behind Simply The Betts (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Ar Mest (FR) 11-4jfav (11-5) Held up in rear, jumped left at times, closed 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, held from 2 out, stayed on flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Molineaux (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Brave Dancing 9-2 (11-10) Some slow jumps, towards rear from 3rd, mistake and last 8th, pulled up before 3 out, at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Jaboticaba (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Held up, hampered 1st, not fluent 12th, closed after 3 out, every chance last, held flat, kept on, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Hes No Trouble (12-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Celtic Joy (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 12th, 2nd after next, mistake next, weakened quickly, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Sammy Bill (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Big Chief Benny (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) In touch, effort after 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on after last, never a threat, 4th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Unison (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
