not fluent 3rd, always in rear, well behind 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
prominent, led 4th, headed after 5th, led 6th until 9th, led 4 out, not fluent and headed last, stayed on same pace
led 2nd until 4th, led approaching 6th, soon headed, remained prominent, every chance from 4 out, stayed on same pace flat
took keen hold, bumped 1st, in touch in mid-division, headway 3rd, not fluent 6th, lost place approaching 11th, well held after
held up in rear, mistake 8th, not fluent next, never in contention
led until 2nd, blundered 4th, pushed along after next, lost place 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, led after 4th, hung left and headed before next, remained front rank, led 9th until 4 out, led last, driven out
tracked leaders, reminders after 5th and 8th, outpaced after 11th, rallied approaching 3 out, one pace last
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, struggling when not fluent 2 out, weakening when jumped right last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on flat, nearest finish
Nonrunner
Irish Guard and Magnetic Pole are both C&D winners but neither look particularly well handicapped on their return to the track. That isn't the case with Mokum, however, though recent efforts suggest the 10-year-old isn't the force of old. Don't Tell Nina is probably open to improvement and High Jack will appreciate today's better ground having got stuck in the mud at Hereford last month. But it may pay to concentrate on those at the head of the weights with CITY THEATRE narrowly preferred to Near The Water. The latter stayed on well from an impossible position to snatch second place behind Babe Heffron at Lingfield last time but Jonjo O'Neill's charge possibly has more scope and makes his handicap debut over fences 21lb lower than his hurdles rating.
Near The Water (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Behind, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd close home, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Babe Heffron (11-5) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Irish Guard 8-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, lost place before 8th, pulled up approaching 3 out, in a race won by Brenin Cwmtudu (10-8) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
High Jack (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake when not much room 4th, lost place next, hit 6th, struggling approaching 7th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Brenin Cwmtudu (10-8) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Don't Tell Nina (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on outside, ridden to lead after 4 out, headed next, soon outpaced, weakened and lost 3rd last, 5th of 9, 20l behind Raise You Five (11-4) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Magnetic Pole 10-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, pushed along 4th, headway after 9th, weakened 10th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Douglas Julian (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Whatever Next (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Slight lead, narrowly headed 4th, with leader, not fluent 7th, led again narrowly before 9th, headed before when mistake 12th, weakened next, tailed off and eased, 5th of 6, well behind Pacco (11-12) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Island Jim (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Held up in 6th, jumped slowly 4th, headway before 9th, 2nd before 4 out, ridden when mistake and lost 2nd 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 46l behind Roi De Rose (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Mokum (FR) 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 7th, soon ridden and lost place, never in contention after, 5th of 15, 31l behind Foxesbow (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Vic's World (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led until 3rd, chased winner until ridden before 2 out, soon outpaced and no chance, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Jeczmien (11-1) at Folkestone 2m 5yo nov hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Phoenix Des Mottes (FR) 25-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 1st, weakened 4 out, 6th of 15, 31l behind Foxesbow (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
City Theatre (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led after 7th, headed 9th, demoted to 4th when mistake 12th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, 50l behind Pearlysteps (10-7) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
