often jumped left, led until 3rd, chased leaders, tracked leader 15th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, blundered and almost unseated rider last, kept on until headed final 125 yards, weakened towards finish
held up in touch, headway 9th, badly outpaced 14th, rallied before 4 out, effort on inside and stayed on well run-in, led towards finish
chased leader, led 3rd until 5th, chased leader until 15th, chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, rallied into 2nd between last 2, led final 125 yards, headed towards finish
never travelled in rear, reminders after 5th and 10th, 6th and well beaten when pecked 4 out, weakened and stumbled next, eased and pulled up before 2 out
held up in last pair, headway 11th (water), ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up and behind, headway on inside 2 out, 5th and no impression last
chased leader, led 5th, joined 4 out, headed 2 out, chased leader, until ridden between last 2, rallied to hold every chance run-in, went 3rd towards finish
in touch, pushed along before 17th, soon weakened
mistakes 4th and 6th, held up and always behind, tailed off
Reikers Island still has bags of scope over fences after just the two runs. He beat an in-form rival at Wincanton after a solid first run at Exeter and won’t be far away here. Ballydine is also unexposed and was a good fifth in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on his reappearance. The first and second in that race filled the same two spots in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby earlier this week so the form looks decent. SANDY BEACH stayed on strongly over this trip at Uttoxeter after a break. Wind surgery seems to have had the desired effect and Colin Tizzard’s charge may still be well treated compared to a few of these. Hey Bill has still to recapture last season’s form but Vice Et Vertu ran well for second at Ascot and should strip fitter today. Sir Ivan and Carole's Destrier have ability but both are erratic.
Reikers Island (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led before 4 out, drew clear after 2 out, comfortably, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Some Chaos (11-10) by 6l, 10 ran.
Sir Ivan 9-2 (11-13) Mid-division, headway before 6 out, blundered 4 out, in 3rd and one pace when fell 2 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Carole's Destrier 10-3jfav (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 18th, lost place after 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, pulled up before last, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Ballydine (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 6 out, weakened 3 out, 5th of 12, 10l behind Lake View Lad (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
Aurillac (FR) 100-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, carried right by loose horse and last from 6th, soon niggled along, behind 10th, pulled up before 4 out, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Vice Et Vertu (FR) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, headway to track leaders 9th, chased winner 3 out, ridden next, stayed on flat, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Favorito Buck's (11-2) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Sandy Beach 5-1 (11-6) Prominent, led and jumped left 2nd, headed 4th, stayed handy, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear flat, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Lough Derg Farmer (11-4) by 6l, 8 ran.
Scotchtown (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Made most until 7th, pressed leader, ridden after 4 out, lost 2nd before next, no impression when went right 3 out, hit last, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 8, 20l behind Diplomate Sivola (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Hey Bill (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent on outside, pushed along bypassing omitted 3 out, 5th and beaten when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Frankly Speaking 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway 4 out, kept on to go 4th flat, 4th of 12, 15 3/4l behind Skipthescales (11-4) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
