disputed close 3rd, outright 3rd at 8th, went 2nd 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, asserted at the last, stayed on well flat, ridden out
held up in close 5th, bumped on bend after 7th, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, no chance after, went modest 4th towards finish
chased leader, hit 6th, challenged 11th, led 3 out, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, chased winner and every chance until the last, stayed on same pace flat, just held on for 2nd
led, headed 3 out, soon dropped to 3rd and ridden, weakened to 4th before next, lost 4th towards finish
disputed close 3rd, hung left on bend after 7th, dropped to 4th at 8th, stayed chasing leaders, jumped slowly and pecked 4 out, went 3rd before jumped right 2 out, switched left approaching last, stayed on flat, almost snatched 2nd
jumped left throughout, in rear, pushed along and struggling after 7th, lost touch 9th, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
FOX APPEAL was attempting to give weight to Balder Success' stablemate Valdez at Doncaster so was far from disgraced. The return to a longer trip is very much in his favour and he looks capable of overturning the Warwick winner, who may struggle to get home on the soft ground. Alan King's novice jumps well in the main, however, and is preferred to Dark Lover who has proved difficult to place since winning over 2m at Cheltenham in October. God's Own was well behind the selection on Town Moor and Loose Chips is only a handicapper. Tchang Goon will probably complete in his own time again.
Balder Succes (FR) 6-5fav (11-7) With leader, led 7 out, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Warwick 2m nov chs G2 (1) hvy beating Brick Red (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Dark Lover (GER) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, mistake 8th, outpaced when hampered by loose horse 14th, no chance with leaders, 6th of 11, 33l behind Indian Castle (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) hvy in Jan.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, blundered 1st, blundered 5 out, lost 2nd place before 4 out, mistake next, kept on from last, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Valdez (11-4) at Doncaster 2m nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Loose Chips 5-4fav (11-4) Led, not fluent 13th, left clear 3 out until 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Yesyoucan (11-8) by 8l, 4 ran.
God's Own (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Mistakes, tracked leaders in 3rd, jumped right and weakened from 3 out, 4th of 5, 14l behind Valdez (11-4) at Doncaster 2m nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Tchang Goon (FR) 200-1 (11-0) In rear, pushed along before 7 out, soon tailed off, last of 5, well behind Balder Succes (11-7) at Warwick 2m nov chs G2 (1) hvy.
