tracked leader, blundered 6th, weakened before 10th, soon behind
prominent, reminders before 12th, ridden before 3 out, one pace
tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, no extra from last
led, ridden and headed before last, one pace
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd at last, kept on towards finish
held up in touch, not fluent 9th, headway before 12th, went 2nd 4 out, led before last, driven out
always towards rear
held up towards rear, outpaced 4 out and pushed along, no impression from 2 out
soon in rear, struggling from 3rd, reminders before 8th, tailed off, pulled up before 4 out
Quicker ground was put forward as the reason for Emperor Charlie's massive improvement at Newcastle where he jumped well and won by no less than 19 lengths. He's been raised 12lb but wouldn't be travelling here unless there was plenty of confidence in him. Tribal Dance completed a double in November but the handicapper appears to have hold of him while Top Benefit has been raised 10lb for an all-the-way success at Market Rasen and won't get an uncontested lead here. Lajidaal is a fast-ground specialist but is 10lb higher than for his last win while Moscow Chancer can't get his head in front so it's ANAY TURGE who gets the vote as he's a hold-up horse, as we saw at Market Rasen last time, and the front-runners may set this up for him.
Oscar Papa 15-2 (11-0) Led until 11th, rallied next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 5, 17l behind Problema Tic (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Haar 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd and outpaced 5 out, lost place after next, soon weakened, 5th of 8, well behind Lady Everywhere (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Tribal Dance (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Held up in rear and in touch, pushed along before 6th, detached 8th, reminders after 5 out, blundered 4 out, went remote 2nd last, never dangerous, 2nd of 4, 19l behind Global Flyer (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Top Benefit (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Made all, clear when went right and hit 2 out, ridden and stayed on well, eased close home, unchallenged, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar beating Stick Together (11-6) by 9l, 9 ran.
Anay Turge (FR) 10-3 (11-1) Held up in touch, went 2nd 4 out, led before 2 out, quickened nicely flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Mar beating Earl Grez (11-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Moscow Chancer (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Chased clear leader, mistakes throughout, under pressure when blundered 2 out, soon lost 2nd and no impression, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Bay Central (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Lajidaal (USA) 12-1 (10-2) Mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Midnight Tuesday (11-4) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (4) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Emperor Charlie 10-3 (10-2) Held up in 5th, close up on outside after 7th, went 2nd after 4 out, led next, drew clear from 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m 4f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Shoal Bay Dreamer (10-5) by 19l, 6 ran.
Manjam (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chase winner until 6th, soon ridden, lost place approaching 8th, poor 7th when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Try Catch Me (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd, 8 ran.
