led until hung left and headed approaching 3rd, ridden to challenge 3 out, every chance next, led last, stayed on well
chased leaders, hard ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on under pressure to go 2nd after last, never reached winner
keen hold, prominent, led approaching 3rd, ridden and headed last, faded flat
Spice Bar hasn't really taken to fences so far while it may be best to take a watching brief on the diminutive and oft-headstrong Argaum on his first start over the larger obstacles. Russian Conquest has finished tailed off in both starts since pulling up at Worcester on his reappearance, while Riddleofsands has only managed one place in six runs over fences so far and returns from a break. AL AMAAN made mistakes when third at Fontwell last time but the faster conditions here will suit and Gary Moore's six-year-old is given another chance to get off the mark here.
Spice Bar 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 11th, clear after 12th, 9 lengths ahead when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Baaher (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Russian Conquest 40-1 (11-0) Slow 1st, soon tailed off in rear, left poor 3rd and hampered 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Darna (11-0) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (5) gd in Nov.
Al Amaan 7-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, held up in 6th, mistake 3rd, slow next, hit 3 out, went modest 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Sablazo (10-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Riddleofthesands (IRE) 3-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, chased leader 3rd, led soon after, headed 4th, chased leader until 5th, driven before 7th, soon in rear, tailed off when blundered 2 out, last of 6, 49l behind Sunday City (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Argaum (IRE) 3-1fav (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 9l behind Not Til Monday (11-2) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
