led to 4th, tracked leader, not fluent 8th, hit next, lost place 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, driven to chase leaders before 4 out, ridden and beaten before next, went moderate 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair
held up in rear, headway and in touch on outside 5 out, soon outpaced, ridden before next, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 11th, headway next, went 2nd 4 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner before last
held up in touch, smooth headway 11th, led going well 4 out, clear last, stayed on well, comfortably
in touch, led 4th to 10th, in touch, lost place before 4 out, soon weakened
prominent, led 10th, ridden after 5 out, headed next, weakened 2 out
Forest Walker hinted at a return to form at Wincanton last month behind Benny's Mist, who has won again since. Dan Skelton's charge shouldn't be far away here while Elenika is steadily coming down the weights again and should be winning soon. Cootehill is likely to find at least one too good again, however, and Free World usually struggles in this grade. BUYWISE is making giant strides judged on his latest victory at Taunton and can complete the hat-trick. Evan Williams' gelding has already won over course and distance this year so the drop back in trip won't be a problem. Tony Dinozzo was unlucky at Fakenham last time and could figure with a clear round but Gallox Bridge may be too high in the weights now.
Gallox Bridge 12-1 (11-11) Held up behind in touch, struggling 4 out, soon no chance with leaders, went remote 4th after 2 out, hit last, 4th of 7, 37l behind Niceonefrankie (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Cootehill (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, tracked leaders, after 5 out, ridden next, soon one pace, went modest 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 16l behind King Massini (11-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Forest Walker (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up mid-division, ridden before 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Bennys Mist (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Elenika (FR) 4-1fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 5 out, soon lost place, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd last, no impression, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Desert Cry (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Jan.
Buywise (IRE) 5-4fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, headway 7th, challenging when not fluent 3 out, led next, clear last, heavily eased close home, won at Taunton 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan beating Water Wagtail (11-11) by 9l, 9 ran.
Free World (FR) 8-1 (10-6) Raced keenly, made most from 3rd, driven and 11/2 lengths clear when mistake last, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Chicklemix (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Tony Dinozzo (FR) 15-8fav (10-2) Chased leader, led approaching 2 out, about 2 lengths ahead when fell last, in a race won by Presented (10-5) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
