chased leaders on inside, hampered 3rd, outpaced before 3 out, no impression
led, fell 3rd
held up in rear, hampered and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, left 2nd 3rd, not fluent and led 3 out, not fluent 2 out or last, ran on well
tracked leader, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up, outpaced when taking 4th 3 out, no impression, weakened next
mid-division, fell 1st
tracked leaders, left 2nd 2nd, left in lead next, jumped left 7th, headed 3 out, no impression on winner final 150 yards, stayed on same pace
held up, left 4th 3rd, mistakes 7th and 9th, weakened and lost 4th 3 out
Dual course and distance winner Helium deserves this step up in grade after rattling up a hat-trick but a 14lb hike in the weights looks harsh. Other track and trip winners Jayo Time and Sir Valentino also arrive off the back of recent victories while Ozzy Thomas only found one too good on his chasing bow at Chepstow. But we'll take a chance on LIGHTENING ROD (NAP) as Mick Easterby has got him well handicapped over fences. The 10-year-old won over hurdles on soft ground at Wetherby around this time last year and he shaped nicely at Ayr on his reappearance when not given a hard race. Kudu Country is another who will have improved for a recent run and My Brother Sylvest is coming down the weights, though is better on quicker surfaces.
Helium (FR) 7-2fav (11-10) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 5 out, led next, drew clear approaching last, eased down closing stages, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Queen Olivia (10-6) by 12l, 10 ran.
My Brother Sylvest 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, hit 3rd, lost 2nd 6th, chased leaders, weakened after 8th, 8th of 9, dist behind Dresden (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Jayo Time (IRE) 6-1fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Artifice Sivola (11-0) by 4l, 9 ran.
Sir Valentino (FR) 4-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear before last, kept on well, won at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Bodega (11-0) by 3l, 13 ran.
Vivaccio (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 5th, behind 9th, pulled up before 3 out, at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Lightening Rod 16-1 (10-13) Always behind, 6th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Aristo Du Plessis (10-3) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Kudu Country (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 6, 17l behind Baron Alco (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Ozzy Thomas (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway before 6 out to chase leaders, ridden to chase winner before last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Javert (11-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Sonofagun (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Tracked leader until 7th, went 2nd again when not fluent 8th, pushed along 10th, one pace in 3rd from 3 out, 3rd of 4, 8 1/2l behind River Purple (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
