jumped left, made virtually all, left clear 3 out, tiring when mistake last, all out
chased leaders on inside, not always fluent, one pace after 4 out, went 2nd approaching last, unable to challenge winner, stayed on close home
held up on outside, not fluent 5th, headway next, blundered and lost place 7th, not fluent and closed next, left 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner, edged left and lost 2nd before last
tracked winner, not fluent 9th, led narrowly after 4 out, joined when mistake and unseated rider next
reluctant to race and lost 15 lengths, latched onto others 2nd, ridden 6th, behind 11th, stayed on approaching last, no impression flat
chased leaders, ridden and struggling after 11th, behind 4 out, stayed on flat
Nonrunner
This longer trip could be a problem for the returning On The Case, though he does have a victory over fences to his name. Vertueux's jumping has gone to pieces but Lee Edwards still chooses him ahead of stablemate Vivacissimo. Khazium wasn't beaten far last time but Towcester fourth Whiskey Chaser is less exposed than both he and the 11-year-old Ball Hopper. MURTYS DELIGHT won over this trip over hurdles at Fakenham on New Year's Day and was third over 2m here on his chasing bow a week later. That run hasn't really worked out but he may still have too much for the disappointing Colms Dream and the others.
Vivacissimo (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Held up on outside, mistake 8th, not fluent next, well beaten after 11th, jumped left 3 out, 8th of 13, well behind Valid Point (11-9) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Colms Dream (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Soon disputed lead, took keen hold, led 6th, headed and dropped to 3rd where slight mistake and badly hampered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Rocky Wednesday (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase, 8 ran.
On The Case 3-1 (11-6) Held up in 6th, moderate 4th and ridden and struggling when blundered 4 out, weakened into poor 5th after 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, 44l behind Respectueux (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
Whiskey Chaser (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) With leaders, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on from last, 4th of 6, 13l behind Carhue Princess (10-13) at Towcester 2m cond hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
Khazium (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Led into start, held up, ridden before 4 out, 5th after 3 out, never going pace to get on terms, 5th of 9, 8l behind Henri De Boistron (10-10) at Leicester 2m 5yo nov hcp (4) gs.
Ball Hopper (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Tracked clear leader until 5th, chased leading pair until weakened before 9th, struggling in last pair 11th, left distant 4th 3 out, well tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Come On Annie (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Murtys Delight (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent and no impression 4 out, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd flat, no threat, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Boss In Boots (11-12) at Leicester 2m 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Vertueux (FR) 17-2 (10-4) Jumped big and rider lost iron briefly 1st, led narrowly, tended to jump left, pushed along after 4th, narrow advantage when fell 7th, in a race won by Wicklewood (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
