in touch in rear, slow 2nd and 8th, soon ridden, driven 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
close up, ridden and headway to chase winner approaching 2 out, driven next, kept on one pace
close up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden soon after 3 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off
made all, ridden 2 out, found extra when pressed flat
raced wide, in touch in rear, pushed along 5th, soon behind and pulled up after 7th
keen, pressed winner until ridden 3 out, soon weakened and pulled before next
NonRunner
Triopas won a conditionals' race at Chepstow last month but came up short at Newcastle last time, despite escaping a penalty. He’s 7lb higher today while Wells Gold has been raised 6lb for winning at Fontwell recently. AMERICAN LIFE is having his first start since April but was only beaten a length at Perth when last in action and he gets a speculative vote dropping down in class for this. It was heavy ground when Turtle Cask scored at Hexham in September and he’s struggled off higher marks subsequently.
Varene De Vauzelle (FR) 15-8fav (11-7) Jumped slowly and towards rear 1st, not fluent after, reminders after 4 out, never dangerous, tailed off 2 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Culm Counsellor (10-7) at Stratford 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
American Life (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, tracked leaders 7th, went 2nd and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, 2 lengths down and one pace last, rallied towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Late Date (11-5) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
West To Crossgales (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Towards rear, hit 4 out, never on terms, 8th of 15, 34 1/2l behind Occasionally Yours (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Turtle Cask (IRE) 9-2fav (11-2) Tracked leader until ridden 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 31 1/4l behind Durbanville (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Triopas (IRE) 8-11fav (10-13) Keen, led 1st, headed before 3rd, led again 5th, not fluent 8th, headed when mistake 3 out, rallied after last, kept on well under pressure, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Chu Chu Percy (12-2) at Newcastle 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Wells Gold (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway before 8th to chase leaders, led before 2 out, held on towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Quiz Master (11-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Exit To Freedom 66-1 (10-3) Keen, led until 1st, led again before 3 out, headed 5th, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 13, 24 1/4l behind Chu Chu Percy (12-2) at Newcastle 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Fraser Canyon 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, tracked leaders 5th, outpaced when hit 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up approaching last, at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
