disputed 2nd when fell 1st
held up in rear, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and stayed on into modest 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out to next, one pace after 2 out, soon weakened and fell last
held up mid-division, hit 7th, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd next, led narrowly between last 2, ridden and headed flat, kept on, just held
led, ridden after 3 out, mistake next, headed narrowly between last 2, rallied gamely to regain lead flat, just held on
held up behind, headway and in touch on outside 10th, disputing 4th when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, blundered next, lost place 4 out, never able to get back on terms
tracked winner, lost place 4 out, ridden and well beaten after next
NonRunner
This looks a tough one to call with River Frost having finally found some form, winning at Ayr before going down narrowly at Market Rasen. Murphy's Law won over hurdles at Kelso last month and has won over fences. Jammy George was probably taking on decent opposition when fifth at Ascot and there should also be more to come from Sam's Adventure, who finished ahead of Hill Sixteen when fourth at Carlisle. Donna's Delight was third in this last year when 7lb higher, though was beaten 26 lengths. SLANELOUGH is equally exposed and has failed to complete in three of his five chase starts but ran well given a quiet ride at Kelso last time and could sneak into contention unnoticed if similar tactics are employed here.
Jammy George (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, lost place 10th, struggling 12th, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 12l behind Doctor Dex (10-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Slanelough (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, left 4th at 8th, headway after 5 out, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, never getting to winner, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Well Above Par (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Murphy's Law (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Chased leaders, mistake 3 out, driven to challenge next, led last, soon pressed, all out, won at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Get Help (11-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sam's Adventure 10-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 5 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 4l behind Two For Gold (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Raced keenly in 4th, went 2nd at 5th, switched left before last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind La Cavsa Nostra (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Cairnshill (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up last, closer in 4th at 12th, 3rd 16th, stayed on same pace no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 5, 26 1/4l behind La Cavsa Nostra (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Hill Sixteen 5-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 23l behind Two For Gold (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Donna's Delight (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, every chance after 4 out, under pressure 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Bafana Blue (11-4) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
River Frost 7-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, tracked leaders going well before 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, stayed on to challenge and every chance when awkward last, held flat, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Buster Valentine (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
