mid-division, headway into 5th after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, ran on well after last, snatched 3rd on line
prominent, fell 2nd
towards rear, headway into mid-division before 2 out, pushed along after 2 out, staying on when slightly hampered by faller last, kept on
towards rear, hampered by faller and nearly unseated rider 2nd, recovered to race in rear, mistake 3 out and tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
front mid-division, dropped to rear and pushed along before 3 out, soon struggling
mid-division, ridden home turn, soon beaten and eased
tracked leaders, ridden home turn, kept on one pace, no impression
front mid-division, headway into 3rd after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, keeping on one pace when fell last
held up in rear, ridden home turn, soon beaten, never on terms
towards rear, headway into mid-division 4 out, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden before 2 out, mistake last and faded run-in
led, pushed along and headed before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on well but no chance with winner
rear mid-division, not fluent 5th, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, badly hampered by faller 2nd and unseated rider
prominent, led before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on strongly run-in, readily
chased leaders, ridden home turn, outpaced and weakened before last
towards rear, ridden home turn, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, pushed along and weakened tamely after 3 out, soon beaten
handy, outpaced and ridden home turn, well beaten from before 2 out
A typically tough renewal with Nicky Henderson, who has won it three times in recent years, having a trio of runners. Nico de Boinville is on board Marie's Rock and she bounced right back to form over the course and distance on Boxing Day for which she's been raised 9lb. GELINO BELLO has twice seen the back of Blazing Khal in Grade 2 novices' events at Cheltenham this season, the first of them over this trip after scoring on his hurdling bow at Aintree. Paul Nicholls' charge can make a winning handicap debut though there are numerous dangers with Earth Lord looking progressive when completing a double at Ascot and Green Book also on a hat-trick after victories at a lower level. On My Command has made all for impressive victories at Market Rasen and Plumpton and may not be finished yet.
Call Me Lord (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Soon racing towards rear well off the pace, not fluent and struggling 5th, behind 7th, pulled up before next, at Hereford 2m (3) gs in Jan.
Ch'tibello (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Close up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on run in, 4th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Flashing Glance (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Dans Le Vent (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, pecked 2 out, closed on placed horses after final bend but no impression on front pair, slightly hampered last, no impression, 4th of 6, 7 1/4l behind Stormy Ireland (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Marie's Rock (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Waited with in last pair, good headway out wide chasing leaders 3 out, quickened to lead 2 out, soon clear, flattened last, kept on strongly,, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating An Tailliur (11-2) by 7l, 8 ran.
William Henry (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up, headway into 5th 3 out, soon pushed along, made no impression, 5th of 10, 29 1/2l behind Orbys Legend (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Monte Cristo (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders out wide, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Gelino Bello (FR) 2-1 (10-12) Held up in last in touch, not fluent 8th, pushed along 2 out, ridden and headway to press leaders before last, every chance after final flight, kept on, no match for winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Blazing Khal (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Quinta Do Mar (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before the last, 4th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Lively Citizen (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Carys' Commodity 14-1 (11-4) Close up, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, last of 8, 22 1/4l behind Flashing Glance (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Cabot Cliffs (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Captain Morgs (10-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Up For Parol (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Chased leader until before 2nd, went 2nd again 4 out, ridden and stayed on gamely run-in, led final 100 yards, won going away, won at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Stellar Magic (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Earth Lord (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Soon in mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders 4th, challenged 2 out, led before the last, 2 lengths ahead last, ridden and stayed on run-in, always doing enough, won at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Scarpia (11-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Highway One O Two (IRE) 17-2 (11-11) Made all, pushed along before 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on well, held on towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Guernesey (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Press Your Luck (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leader, jumped left 2nd, not fluent 3 out, led before not fluent last, edged right flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Mr One More (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Green Book (FR) 1-3fav (12-0) Soon handy, travelled strongly, led 3 out, soon in command, ridden out after last, readily, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Bridge North (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
Cobblers Dream (IRE) 11-4 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led before omitted 2 out, pushed along before omitted last, ran on well, readily, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Leoncavallo (11-11) by 3l, 14 ran.
Commanche Red (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, tracked leader 2nd, pushed along and lost 2nd 2 out, weakened and modest 3rd close home, 4th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Marie's Rock (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Bold Plan (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden next, weakened approaching next, 6th of 8, 17 3/4l behind Flashing Glance (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Foster'sisland 7-2jfav (11-5) Held up in touch, led before and jumped right 3 out, pressed and jumped right 2 out, went right again and not fluent last, headed narrowly flat, stayed on, joined leader post, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Glentruan (11-7), 10 ran.
On My Command (IRE) 6-5fav (11-5) Made all, travelled strongly and extended lead at 2 out, mistake at last hurdle, won impressively, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Golden Emblem (11-7) by 14l, 6 ran.
