made most until 8th, chased leaders, wekaned under pressure after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
held up in mid-division, not keen going out on last circuit, smooth headway after 4 out, led 3 out, hit 2 out, soon clear, easily
chased leader until 7th, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
raced widest, chased leaders, weakened before 8th
mid-division, weakened on long run before 3 out
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
raced wide, chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, led next, headed on long run before 3 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 8th, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, no extra in 4th between last 2
took keen hold, held up, headway chasing leaders before 4th,went 2nd 8th, led on long run before 3 out, headed 3 out, chased winner until
held up in last pair, headway pushed along in 4th before 3 out, went 3rd between last 2, no chance with winner
well in rear, tailed off 7th, pulled up before next
Gamain looked like winning when sent for home after the third-last here last week but was reeled in up the straight. He has a chance again off the same mark, though others are possibly better treated. Crucial Role has been in decent form this winter but has run here four times and never looked like winning. Capote has lost his confidence over fences but hasn’t raced over hurdles since 2014. PENNYWELL has been raised a further pound since beaten at Fakenham but Richard Johnson keeps faith with Warren Greatrex’ charge, who looks the one to be on. Deauville Crystal stays well but Three Star General has been disappointing overall so novice The Sweeney makes more appeal.
Deauville Crystal (FR) 50-1 (11-2) In rear, ridden and struggling from 5th, well behind before 3 out, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Crucial Role 3-1 (11-7) Edged right and slowly away, soon chasing leaders, not fluent 2nd, closed and hanging right 7th, led briefly before not fluent 3 out, just over 1 length down last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Cave Top (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Capote (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Led to 6th, with leader, led again briefly 9th, lost place 14th, under pressure when fell 5 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Vinegar Hill 7-1 (11-10) Prominent, led narrowly 3rd, hit 5 out, blundered and headed next, weakened 3 out, pulled up after next, at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Three Star General 12-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway before not fluent 7th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Allbarnone 11-1 (11-10) Led, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra from last, 5th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Skipthescales (10-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Jennys Day (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, tailed off 4 out, never a factor, 8th of 10, dist behind Trans Express (10-7) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
The Sweeney (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, soon no impression, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 16, 17l behind Diablo De Rouhet (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Gamain (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, slow 1st, went 2nd 8th led after 4 out, clear when mistake 2 out, headed last, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Flashjack (11-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Pennywell (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, soon pressed winner, ridden and kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Minella Gathering (10-8) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Boxer Beat (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Hdwy & cl 3rd when ur 8, at Dingley 3m gd in May.
