towards rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off next
led, headed soon after 2nd, led again 6th, headed 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 6th, led 4 out, joined next, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, headway 4 out, joined leaders next, ridden to lead flat, ran on
keen tracked leaders, ridden 7th, outpaced 4 out, kept on flat
keen tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, led soon after 2nd, headed 6th, ridden and lost place 4 out
in rear, mistake 4th, headway 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed flat, kept on
Moscow Me has disappointed over fences since winning a small race at Leicester a year ago but GROOMED has a decent strike rate over the larger obstacles. He got back to winning ways at Newcastle earlier this month and, only raised 4lb, still looks to be on a fair mark. No Ceiling finished ahead of Moscow Me at Worcester in October but hasn’t raced since and Crafty Roberto is 0-13 in chases, though did score over hurdles here at the start of the month and is only a pound higher. Unzing won twice in France and the Southwell third looks the pick of the remainder.
Ulis De Vassy (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Always in last pair, struggling 13th, tailed off when blundered 4 out, soon pulled up, at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Held up, fell 9th, at Newbury 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Un Anjou (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Close up in rear, pushed along to go 3rd 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on, no threat to winner, 2nd of 4, 14l behind Colin's Brother (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Unzing (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway after 8th, one pace and beaten from 3 out, went 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Mercian Prince (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Crafty Roberto 7-1 (11-5) With leader, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Satanic Beat (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Moscow Me (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) With leader, every chance 3 out, ridden and mistake last, one pace, 4th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Third Act (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Groomed (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Led, pushed along before 4 out, narrowly headed 3 out, chased leader, ridden approaching last, led again run-in, kept on gamely, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Rosquero (10-6) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
No Ceiling (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) In rear, headway before 5 out, ridden to go 3rd after last, one pace, 3rd of 10, 10 1/2l behind Foxtail Hill (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
