tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, went 2nd 7th, led after 10th, hit 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat
with leader, led 3rd, stumbled 8th, headed after 10th, mistake 3 out, weakened flat
held up in mid-division, not fluent 5th, no impression on leaders from 3 out
held up, not fluent 5th, headway on inside approaching 3 out, hit last, every chance flat, held close home
held up in touch in mid-division, ridden to close after 9th, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed flat, stayed on, just held
held up in rear, mistake 10th, well beaten 3 out
held up, mistake 2nd, not fluent 8th, mistake 10th, soon behind
held up, headway approaching 3 out, switched left before last, not able to challenge
held up in touch, headway after 7th, ridden after 10th, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, went close 2nd when mistake 3 out, led flat, held on well
led until 3rd, handy until after 7th, weakened before next
Devotion To Duty won over 2m4f here exactly a year ago but recent form over this longer trip has been inconsistent and the suspicion remains that he's still a shade high in the weights. Everaard has hit form with a vengeance and chasing a hat-trick on this track. He's shot up the weights as a result, however, and this company may just be a little tough for Kate Walton's charge. Moonlight Drive, Sendali, Dizzy River and Easement could all play a part but this looks a bit easier than the races that ARCTIC COURT has been contesting lately. Jim Goldie's front-runner should feel at home on this sharp track and may be hard to peg back if allowed his own way out in front.
Ostland (GER) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 12th until 14th, weakened soon after 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Exmoor Ranger (10-10) at Ascot 3m Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Oct, 17 ran.
Arctic Court (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Led, hit 1st, headed approaching 3 out, lost place before 2 out, went 4th when jumped left last, well held by leaders, 4th of 8, 13l behind Houblon Des Obeaux (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Alderley Rover (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Fell 1st, in a race won by Fiendish Flame (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Jan, 11 ran.
Moonlight Drive (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place after 5th, weakened approaching last and pulled up, in a race won by Safran De Cotte (9-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec, 13 ran.
Devotion To Duty (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) In touch on outside, effort 4 out, soon outpaced, 4th and beaten when not fluent next, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Theologist (10-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Sendali (FR) 14-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden 4 out, soon well behind, 9th of 11, 31l behind Simonside (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Dove Hill (IRE) 3-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, weakened from 11th, soon struggling, went remote 4th from 4 out, 4th of 7, 39l behind Best Legend (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f beg chase (5) gs in Jan.
Dizzy River (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden 4out, every chance 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Turbolinas (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Easement 11-2 (11-10) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, kept on and every chance after last, no impression with leading pair flat, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Stormion (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Everaard (USA) 3-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders before 11th, went 2nd before 4 out, not fluent last, hard ridden run-in, kept on to lead close home, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan beating More Equity (10-9) by shd, 10 ran.
More Equity 9-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, chased leaders before 10th, led 5 out, pressed after last, caught close home, 2nd of 10, shd behind Everaard (10-0) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
