chased leaders, left 2nd 4th, led 6th, clear from 2 out, easily
raced freely, led 1st, clear next until fell 4th
always towards rear, well behind after 4 out
mid-division, pushed along after 6th, no impression, well beaten 6th 3 out, not fluent 2 out
jumped left at times, not that fluent, chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, no impression 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 6th, well beaten 7th 3 out
held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway before 5th, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, jumped left and no impression in 3rd 3 out, well held next
led until 1st, chased clear leader, left in lead 4th, not fluent and headed 6th, soon weakened
slowly away, held up in rear, shaken up after 6th, remote 8th 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, went 4th before 3 out, no impression
mid-division, mistake 3rd, modest 5th 3 out, never involved
ZACONY REBEL is penalised for a comfortable Fontwell victory but his subsequent second to a prolific winner in a Huntingdon handicap will see him very difficult to beat. High Tech won twice on the Flat in France, including at Longchamp, and has joined Richard Newland while Tikitov, who pulled up in both starts between the flags, led for a long way in a Southwell bumper in November. Sweet Spirit should be better for her run at Catterick after a year off while Kobra, a winner on the Flat in Germany, has been given plenty of time after a poor hurdles debut for Dan Skelton. Fine By Me was beaten a long way on his hurdling bow at Doncaster.
Zacony Rebel (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Held up in touch, headway well over 2 out, kept on into 2nd after last, ran on flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Restandbethankful (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Alternative Fact 6-1 (10-12) In rear, raced keenly and pulled into contention after 3rd, lost place and weakened 2 out, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Seventeen O Four (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Cheeky Ricco 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, no impression, 5th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Unohu (10-12) at Newcastle 2m (5) hvy in Nov.
Fine By Me (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, closer at 6th, pushed along and weakened quickly before 3 out, mistake next, 6th of 8, 34 1/4l behind Mucho Mas (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f (3) gs in Dec.
High Tech (FR) 4-1 (8-12) Rear early, steady headway to lead 2f out, one pace and headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Agenda (9-4) at Strasbourg 1m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.
Outback Frontiers (IRE) 125-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, behind 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Bridge North (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Regal Pretender 40-1 (11-0) Close up then tracked leader, disputed lead second circuit, shaken up home turn, soon outpaced and weakened, last of 6, dist behind Midnight Soldier (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f (5) gf in Jun.
Tikitov (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed under 2f out, kept on well, not pace of front pair, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Carrigdoun Boy (11-0) at Southwell 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Volatore 300-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 4 out, soon left behind by front pair, keeping on one pace in remote 3rd when bad mistake last, no extra, 5th of 15, 32 3/4l behind Balco Coastal (11-5) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Kobra (GER) 7-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, raced keenly, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Megan (10-10) at Leicester 2m fll (3) sft in Nov.
Sweet Spirit (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leader, left in lead 3 out, headed before 2 out, 4th and weakened before last, 4th of 8, 21l behind Auditoria (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Olympe De Gouges 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, jinked right before going left and mistake 3 out, soon beaten, mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn fll (4) sft in Dec.
