tracked leaders, hard driven and outpaced before 13th, headway 3 out, stayed on to chase leaders approaching 2nd last, never able to challenge
led, mistake and headed 4th, led again 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace
in rear when hampered 1st, not fluent 14th, under pressure when jumped right 3 out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, ridden 13th, soon beaten
behind when hampered 1st, under pressure 10th, soon beaten
always prominent, led 2 out, soon driven, ran on well
raced in rear, mistake 9th, headway to chase leaders 13th, never able to challenge
held up in touch, chased leaders 9th, hard ridden 2 out, never on terms
tracked leader, led 4th, headed 6th, mistake 8th, under pressure 12th, gradually weakened
mid-division when fell 1st
raced in rear, headway 14th, soon chasing leaders, under pressure before 3 out, soon faded
mid-division, pushed along 12th, soon outpaced, stayed on before 2 out, never on terms
Arnold Layne is thrown in on his old form but looked a light of former days when beaten off this mark at Leicester last month. Bottom weight Quartz Du Montceau runs his best races around here and both High Oscar and Verasi have also shown a liking for the course in the past, while Deep Pockets will be all the better for his run at Chepstow. Pacco came right back to form with a facile win at Towcester and the unexposed Rey Nacarado was a stout stayer over hurdles. The choice, however, is REBEL MELODY as he has looked a different horse since being fitted with a tongue tie and is probably still on a decent mark despite a wide-margin win at Wincanton last month.
Deep Pockets (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) With leader, lost place after 8th, weakened from 4 out, 10th of 13, well behind Thelobstercatcher (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Rebel Melody (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Chased leading pair, went 2nd before 11th, (water), joined leader 15th, led narrowly 2 out, about 1 length ahead when left well clear last, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating House Of Bourbon (11-11) by well, 6 ran.
Pacco (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch towards rear, jumped right 3rd, mistake 9th, headway 12th, led 14th, clear 3 out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Nov beating Sir Peter (11-6) by 13l, 7 ran.
Tuskar Rock (FR) 9-4 (11-10) Pressed leader, led 6th until next, led 8th, ridden after 2 out, headed before last, no impression flat, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Painter Man (11-12) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Apr.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, jumped sowly 13th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 42l behind Good Harvest (10-12) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Aug.
Rey Nacarado (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) With leaders, led 4th, headed after 5th, led again 7th, headed 8th, led again approaching 11th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on and no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Le Platino (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Digger Gets Lucky (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Raced wide, held up, headway 14th, pushed along to chase leaders next, outpaced after 4 out, soon no chance with leading trio, 4th of 5, 16l behind Bobby Gee (11-9) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Arnold Layne (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Prominent, led 2nd until 5th, with leader, hit 12th, ridden after 14th, switched right when hit last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Backfromthecongo (11-9) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Verasi 20-1 (10-0) In touch in rear, ridden 12th, went moderate 4th at 14th, 4th of 6, well behind Quinz (11-8) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Miller's Dawn 12-1 (11-12) Towards rear and pushed along, reminders after 6th, mistake 13th, jumped badly right next, went remote 3 out, kept plugging away for pressure, almost got 2nd, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Bobby Bullock (11-1) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
High Oscar 15-2 (9-11) Mid-division in 5th, tracked leaders approaching 5th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Mister Stickler (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leading trio, went 3rd 5th until 8th, went 3rd again after 13th, going well before 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, driven and no chance with leading duo from next, tailed off, 3rd of 6, 42l behind Panzer (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
