prominent in chasing group, ridden 8th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
blundered 1st, held up, steady headway 9th, chased leaders 4 out, blundered 3 out, 5 lengths down in 3rd and well held when blundered and fell last
always rear division, never in contention
prominent in chasing group, blundered 7th, ridden along from 10th, weakened and hit 4 out
slight lead to 3rd, chased winner after, driven between last 2, stayed on same pace flat
led 3rd, made rest, blundered 3 out, in command last, stayed on well
mistake 1st, prominent in chasing group, blundered 9th, weakened before 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, blundered 6th, chasing leaders when blundered 4 out, weakened after next, left poor 4th last
behind, blundered 9th, ridden 11th, no impression 4 out, left poor 3rd last
in touch in chasing group, blundered 6th, weakening when fell 9th
close up in chasing group, reminders 7th, soon lost place, blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
mid-division, reminders after 5th, blundered 7th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up approaching 9th
prominent in chasing group until weakened 10th, struggling after, tailed off
Brave Villa is a well handicapped front-running chaser at his best but there wasn't enough promise to be gleaned from his recent debut for his current yard to be put forwards. Ready preference is for SIGNS OF LOVE who makes more appeal than Wheels Up. Noel Chance has enjoyed success in this race in recent years and Signs Of Love made a more than satisfactory return to action in a fair chase at this track last month. He caught the eye held up in rear and wasn't given too hard a time once it was obvious that the bird had flown but the outing should have blown away the cobwebs. He hasn't stood much racing in recent years but he certainly has the ability to win a race of this nature. Brave Villa is the type that could run up a sequence if his new yard can find the key to him but he didn't race with any zest at Warwick. Wheels Up showed a little more promise on his second start for this yard than he had on debut but considerably more is required to land a blow. Fighting Chance was hardpressed to win from a 5lb lower mark at Exeter and the runner-up did nothing for the form next time but he hasn't had that much racing. Red Jester is a consistent sort but has to prove his effectiveness on soft ground whilst Ours needs to show a little more than he has done of late. Pingaro De La Vire is hard to assess but he faces a more realistic task than he did at Hereford so an eye should be kept on him but Signs Of Love has a more obvious chance.
Brave Villa (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Russian Flag (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Pingaro De La Vire (FR) 100-1 (10-11) Held up, struggling after 4th, always behind, 6th of 7, 32l behind Recif De Thaix (10-8) at Hereford 2m beg chs (3) sft.
Arumun (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led to 5th, tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Lease Lend (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Signs of Love (FR) 50-1 (10-9) Not always fluent, held up in rear, stayed on approaching 2 out, never reach leaders, no impression last, 6th of 11, 10l behind Rivaliste (11-4) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Wheels Up (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out when not fluent, soon beaten, 2nd of 5, 24l behind Mr Prickle (10-12) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
Fighting Chance (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Made all, clear approaching 2 out, joined last, all out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Nov beating Red Rattle (11-7) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Red Jester 9-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, led 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner from last, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Like A Duke (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Ours (FR) 9-2 (9-12) In touch, headway to track leader 6th to 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 12, 18l behind Pavillon Bleu (10-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Marsh Court 7-1 (11-4) Mistake 2nd, close up in 5th, left 3rd at 6th, switched left after 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, hit 2 out, 3rd and no chance when fell heavily last, in a race won by Me Julie (9-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f Mares Handicap Chase (0-115) (4yo+) (4) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Funny Fellow 14-1 (11-2) Chased leader to 8th, weakened rapidly, jumped right 3 out, tailed off when pulled up approaching next, in a race won by Suntini (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Sumdancer (NZ) 11-1 (9-11) Hit 1st, led, mistake 8th, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened soon after, 5th of 10, 22l behind Nomecheki (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov.
Alam (USA) 40-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, reminders approaching 7th and soon lost place, chased leaders approaching 11th, weakened from next, 5th of 12, 46l behind Sir Winston (10-13) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Methodical 16-1 (11-7) Led, mistake 4 out, soon headed, rallied and every chance next, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 10, 21l behind Wednesday Country (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Feb.
