tracked leaders, blundered 19th, driven before 4 out, soon ridden, 5th and one pace when blundered and unseated rider next
led narrowly to 6th, with leader, led again 19th, ridden after 4 out, headed next, weakened after 2 out
behind, ridden after 5 out, never involved, weakened after 3 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden after 5 out, outpaced next, 5 lengths down in 3rd approaching last, ran on well flat, led post
held up towards rear, fell 12th
held up behind, mistake 10th, headway under pressure after 5 out, ridden before next, chased leader 3 out, 4 lengths down last, no extra in 3rd flat
mid-division on inside, headway 5 out, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway 5 out, led 3 out, ridden between last 2, 4 lengths clear last, kept on, headed post
in touch, pushed along before 17th, lost place 19th, tailed off after 5 out
with leader, led narrowly 6th, headed 19th, lost place before 5 out, soon behind, tailed off
LITTLE BRUCE (NAP) showed further progress over fences when scoring over 3m6f at Catterick last month. Philip Kirby’s charge should last home over this extra distance and confirm latest running with runner-up Sumkindofking and Brian Boranha, who was racing in third when falling at the last. Chic Name gets a change of headgear and this looks easier than recent tasks at Cheltenham while the Paul Nicholls’ veteran Wonderful Charm has won the hunter chase on this card twice before and was successful at Stratford when last in action. Bob Mahler beat the selection at Cheltenham last year but would prefer good ground while Arthur's Gift would welcome more rain.
Carole's Destrier 20-1 (11-10) Led until 3rd, chased leader until approaching 8th, chased leaders, ridden bypassing omitted 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 14, 19 1/4l behind Jepeck (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Little Bruce (IRE) 15-8fav (11-11) Chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, 2nd again before 17th, chased new leader next, pushed along before 3 out, led last, stayed on, ridden out, won at Catterick 3m 6f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Sumkindofking (11-12) by 3l, 8 ran.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Jumped slowly and lost place 1st, headway on inside chasing leaders 13th, reminder after 15th, went 2nd between last 2, upsides and not fluent last, switched left run-in, led close home, won at Stratford 3m 4f (2) gd in May beating Caryto Des Brosses (12-0) by nk, 8 ran.
Bob Mahler (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led before 2nd, pushed along at times, ridden and narrowly headed 4 out, lost 2nd and not much room on inside 3 out, went 2nd again before 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Boldmere (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Arthur's Gift (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) In touch in mid-division, effort 10th, ridden, not fluent and lost place 15th, closed 5 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 17, 22 1/2l behind Potters Corner (10-11) at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Dec.
Sumkindofking (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up just off the pace in 5th, closer at 5th, went between horses to lead 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Little Bruce (11-11) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Brian Boranha (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Raced widest, held up off the pace in 6th, headway 18th, chased leaders next, 3rd and held when fell last, at Catterick 3m 6f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Chic Name (FR) 8-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 22nd, soon behind, kept on before last, no impression, 4th of 15, 15 1/4l behind Easysland (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Blow By Blow (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Led until before 3rd, chased leading pair, jumped slowly 4th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 23 3/4l behind Annsam (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Harry The Viking 22-1 (11-9) Led to 3rd, pushed along halfway, soon struggling, pulled up, at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
