chasing leaders when brought down 4 out
prominent, lost place 3rd, virtually refused next, soon pulled up
prominent, led 3rd, headed after 6th, led again 8th, headed approaching 10th, led again 5 out, fell next
led, hit 2nd headed next, led again before 10th, headed 5 out, left in lead next, soon headed and weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
chased leaders, led after 6th, headed 8th, pushed along 12th, left in 2nd 4 out, led before next, soon challenged, stayed on strongly
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, hampered when left in 3rd at 4 out, every chance next, weakened before last
held up in touch, blundered 2nd, badly hampered and unseated rider 4th
Dual hurdles winner FINISH THE STORY carries 7lb extra for winning over fences at Southwell a week ago. But a conditional's claim negates the penalty and he can go in again. Strange Bird beat the re-opposing Leith Hill Legasi over 2m4f here last month and can confirm superiority. She's also preferred to Promised Wings, who never looked like catching the winner when runner-up in a lower grade chase at Fontwell last time. Where'd Ya Hide It is inconsistent but looks best of the rest.
Finish The Story (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Held up, closed 7th, went 2nd 15th, led before last, stayed on, won at Southwell 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (5) sft beating Sand Artist (10-0) by 5l, 5 ran.
Promised Wings (GER) 5-2 (11-12) Jumped right reluctant and virtually ridden along throughout in rear, starting to close when went badly right 12th, stayed on approaching 3 out, 3rd next, 2nd when jumped right last, never going pace to reach winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Volio Vincente (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov.
Strange Bird (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 4th, led 11th, clear and not fluent last, kept on, won at Lingfield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov beating Leith Hill Legasi (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
The Flying Column (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) Not fluent, chased leaders until dropped to rear after 2nd but in touch, not fluent and reminder 6th, jumped slowly 10th, outpaced 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by De Kerry Man (11-9) at Warwick 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Leith Hill Legasi 4-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, pushed along before 8th, led before 10th, headed 11th, kept on from 3 out, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Strange Bird (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Where'd Ya Hide It (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) In touch in 4th, weakened before 5 out, tailed off 4 out, 6th of 7, well behind Ballyvoneen (11-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (5) sft.
What's For Tea 100-1 (10-6) Tracked winner to 4th, weakened from 7th, left remote 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 4, 47l behind Chris Pea Green (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft.
