mistakes, never closer than mid-division, towards rear when mistake 15th, weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
ran in snatches, slight lead until 2nd, chased leaders, lost place 8th, blundered 18th, tailed off, pulled up before 19th
led 2nd until mistake and headed 12th, chased leaders, ridden before 16th, weakened before 3 out
always rear-division, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up 3 out
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, ridden and plugged on in modest 3rd towards finish
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd and mistake 2 out, led last, stayed on strongly
pulled hard, not fluent 9th, rapid headway chasing leader 12th, led before 2 out, headed last, no extra run-in
not fluent 1st, chased leaders until led 12th until 18th, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened into 4th towards finish
raced wide, chased leaders, weakening when blundered 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
Withdrawn
NonRunner
Dragon D'Estruval came good at Ludlow last time and should progress again although a 7lb rise for that 2l success seems harsh. Nevertheless, he should be in the firing line and is definite shortlist material. CLOUDY GLEN ran out for some reason at Cheltenham last weekend but he's a really useful handicap chaser at his best who handles the mud and it might be worth affording him a chance to atone for that errant showing. He's not cast iron by any means but does make appeal with just 10-4 on his back. Cap Du Nord and Classic Ben also look noteworthy from the foot of the weights despite the former being 3lb out of the handicap and both As De Mee and Ami Desbois could also play a part in a wide-open contest.
Dragon D'Estruval (FR) 3-1jfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd from 5th, bumped 12th, led last, driven out, won at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Another Stowaway (11-2) by 2l, 7 ran.
Royal Vacation (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Ran in snatches and wide, chased leaders, lost place 6th, rallied next, mistake 10th, outpaced when not fluent 14th rallied before next, weakened soon after, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Yala Enki (11-0) at Taunton 3m 4f (2) hvy in Jan.
As De Mee (FR) 6-4fav (11-3) Prominent, mistake 10th, outpaced when left 3rd and hampered 3 out, rallied from 2 out, disputing 2nd flat, held by winner when not much room towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Gala Ball (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Ami Desbois (FR) 13-2 (11-12) With leader, led narrowly before 3 out, headed next, ridden and outpaced by front pair between last 2, rallied to chase winner inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Big River (11-10) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Le Rocher (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, slow 5th, not fluent next, headway approaching 4 out, left 2nd 3 out, held by winner flat, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Gala Ball (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Deise Aba (IRE) 4-7fav (11-0) Made virtually all from sole rival, not fluent 13th, joined 15th, pushed 2 lengths clear after 3 out, well in command before last, comfortably, won at Catterick 3m 1f (4) gs in Jan beating Jack Devine (11-0) by 16l, 2 ran.
Cloudy Glen (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Ran out 1st, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Diable De Sivola (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, closer in mid-division approaching 4 out, plugged on into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Burbank (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Classic Ben (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 17th, went 2nd from 4 out, no impression on winner next, dropped to 3rd from last, 3rd of 6, 11 1/4l behind Lord Du Mesnil (11-5) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Cap Du Nord (FR) 5-2fav (11-9) Chased leaders, hit 9th, hampered 3 out, not much room last bend, challenging when mistake last, bumped and carried left flat, led close home, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Eceparti (11-12) by hd, 9 ran.
Mister Malarky 5-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up last, at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Crievehill (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Raced keenly on inside, tracked leader until 5th, chased leaders, jumped slowly 9th, weakened 11th, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 10, 34 3/4l behind Regal Encore (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
