chased leaders, plugged on in modest 3rd from 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 10th until bypassing omitted next, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out
held up in rear, moderate 5th when blundered 2 out, never on terms with leaders
held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up towards rear, never involved
chased leaders, led 3rd, made rest, 2 lengths ahead 3 out, further clear when hit last, stayed on strongly
soon chasing leaders on inside, awkward 9th, pushed along before 3 out, lost modest 3rd 3 out
led until 3rd, chased winner, blundered 6th, mistake and lost 2nd 10th, pulled up soon after
raced wide, held up, headway chasing leaders 9th, went 2nd bypassing omitted 4 out, hit next, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
not fluent 1st, mid-division, headway chasing leaders 6th awkward 9th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when almost refused last
NonRunner
Admiral Barratry was pulled up at Cheltenham after winning at Fakenham, where he runs his best races. Chambard won easily returning from a break and wind surgery at Exeter but was ridden by a 7lb claimer that day so is effectively 16lb higher here. Springtown Lake looks better treated but has had his problems in recent years and was pulled up on his return to action while Cut The Mustard, behind Tile Tapper at Exeter two runs ago, has gone up 2lb for finishing third at Chepstow and has yet to win for Paul Nicholls. Neil The Legend bolted up on heavy going at Warwick three weeks ago but has been raised 11lb for his efforts. ZHIGULI was probably a fortunate winner here in October but has taken well to fences in general and is only a pound higher than for that success. With Jamie Moore in the saddle, it’s fair to assume that he is the stable selection ahead of The Flying Sofa and Sopran Thor.
Cut The Mustard (FR) 22-1 (10-5) Mid-division, prominent 5 out, hit 4 out, went 3rd before 3 out, going well and pressed leader before last, ridden run-in, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Golden Whisky (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Springtown Lake (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden before 5 out, no headway, pulled up, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Admiral Barratry (FR) 28-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, lost place 4th, behind when pulled up before 4 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Sopran Thor (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Raced keenly, held up in last pair, not fluent 7th (water), not fluent again 12th, hung left and plugged on in modest 4th from 3 out, 4th of 7, 12 1/2l behind Grumpy Charley (11-3) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Zalvados (FR) 66-1 (10-0) Towards rear, 10th when mistake 3 out, 9th 2 out, no impression, weakened, 13th of 26, dist behind Livelovelaugh (11-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Zhiguli (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Mid-division, chased leaders 5 out, ridden in 4th before 2 out, kept on but not pace to challenge, 4th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Palmers Hill (10-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
The Flying Sofa (FR) 5-1 (10-8) Held up in touch on inside, headway tracking leader 8th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden edging left bypassing omitted 2 out, 1 length down and edging left last, hung left and no extra run-in, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Pistol Whipped (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Neil The Legend 11-4 (11-5) Led, ridden and rallied at 2 out, jumped last fence well, won easily, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Allardyce (10-5) by 15l, 8 ran.
Chambard (FR) 9-4 (11-5) Held up, headway into midfield 7 out, travelled well into lead before 4 out, ridden clear before last, easily, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Silver In Disguise (11-12) by 13l, 6 ran.
Tile Tapper 9-2 (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 7th, headway 8th, beaten 3 out, jumped left and weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 24l behind L'Homme Presse (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
The Edgar Wallace (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Made most, mistake 8th, pushed along 3 out, stayed on well, reduced lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Orrisdale (11-3) by 1l, 5 ran.
