always towards rear, struggling 12th, tailed off
always in rear, tailed off 12th, never a factor
chased leader until dropped to 3rd and hit 7th, went 2nd again 9th until 11th, soon ridden along in 3rd, lost 3rd before 4 out, 4th and under pressure when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
went left 1st, chased leading pair, mistake 2nd, mistake 5th, went 3rd before blundered 3 out, weakened soon after
raced wide, led, bumped 1st, headed 4 out and dropped to 3rd, rallied to 2nd again and stumbled soon after 3 out, driven and held before last, stayed on same pace flat
chased leadrs, went 2nd approaching 7th until 9th, went 2nd again soon after 11th, led briefly just before 4 out, chased winner until 3 out, weakened from next
patiently ridden and held up in rear, slow 8th, blundered next, steady headway on inside 12th, led on bit 4 out, in command before last, clear when driven out final 100 yards
chased leading trio, ridden in 5th before 12th, soon one pace, left modest 4th 3 out, mistake last
mid-division, mistake 2nd, slow and riden 8th, struggling in 7th place and not on terms 12th, stayed on to poor 5th last
Nonrunner
The Boss is potentially well handicapped but hasn't impressed with his jumping so far. French Ties may found this company too hot and Douryna has a poor strike rate while Cabinet Minister has struggled a little since a promising start at Exeter in November. Roi De Rose would have strong claims if last month's Wincanton run was ignored but there was a lot to like about BALLYALLIA MAN's victory at Southwell last time. Tom George's former pointer kept finding more when challenged and could follow up if allowed his own way out in front again.
Plein Pouvoir (FR) 6-1 (10-2) Led 2nd until 3rd, led after 5th until 5 out, no impression on winner next, one pace, 5th of 14, 23l behind Quincy Des Pictons (9-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec.
Betabob (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 6, 31l behind Falcon Island (11-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Cottage Acre (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 10th, behind when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Dont Tell Sailor (11-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jan, 9 ran.
Roi De Rose (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, jumped left next, mistake and ridden 10th, lost place 11th, weakened 13th, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Hunt Ball (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Cabinet Minister (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led, not fluent 3rd, mistake 7th, hit 10th and 11th, headed next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 17l behind Niceonefrankie (10-10) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Ballyallia Man (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Jumped right at times, made all, pressed after 3 out until last, stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f beg chase (4) gs in Feb beating Suburban Bay (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
French Ties (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up behind, headway into 4th 8th, went 2nd next, led narrowly after 4 out, drew 4 lengths clear before last, ridden and idled flat, headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 7, 5l behind O Crotaigh (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Douryna 9-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 8th and lost place, went 3rd again after 5 out, ridden and no impression before next, lost modest 3rd 2 out, 4th of 10, 35l behind Victors Serenade (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Feb.
The Boss (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Disputed lead to 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 8, 22l behind Ballyoliver (11-2) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Cheney Manor 9-4 (11-0) Chased leading pair, mistake 3rd, hit 7th, jumped slowly 9th and ridden, dropped to 5th when mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by The Black Baron (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (5) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
