held up in touch, lost place after 7th, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway before 9th, went poor 3rd and jumped left 4 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on and no impression
tracked leader and keen, led 9th, clear after 4 out, mistake next, pecked last, readily
in touch in 4th, hit 5th, hit 8th and reminders, soon weakened and pulled up before 10th
in touch, not fluent 1st, mistake 2nd, jumped left 4th, soon lost place, reminders and tailed off after 7th
held up towards rear, remote 4th after 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
held up towards rear, hit 5th, reminders after 7th, soon struggling, tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd, hit 7th, weakened 4 out
lead to 9th, chased winner until weakened from 2 out
in rear, struggling from after 7th, tailed off
Keki Buku made his chasing debut in a three-runner race at Warwick on New Year's Eve but could only finish runner-up to Rock Noir with today's rival Qozak beaten seven lengths. He'll improve for the experience and should go well as should Ranjobaie, from the in-form Venetia Williams yard and runner-up to Sarando on his debut over fences at Plumpton. Special Occasion found two miles much too short on his chasing bow at Leicester a week ago and this is more like it but a chance is taken with TASHEBA. Nicky Henderson's useful hurdler makes has his first start over the bigger obstacles and can take care of another decent performer over the smaller obstacles, Swansbrook, who ran well for a long way on his chasing debut at Leicester.
Hopeful Start (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) In rear, not fluent 2nd, blundered badly 12th, soon struggling, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Glenwood Knight (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Dec.
Keki Buku (FR) 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, led narrowly 7th, driven and headed between last 2, soon no chance with winner, ridden out for 2nd flat, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Rock Noir (11-7) at Warwick 2m nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Qozak (FR) 15-8 (11-0) Tended to jump right early, led to 7th, driven 4 out, ridden and no impression with front pair approaching 2 out, last of 3, 12l behind Rock Noir (11-7) at Warwick 2m nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Ranjobaie (FR) 85-40 (10-12) Tracked leading pair, headway 4 out, went 2nd after next, effort and every chance 2 out, soon one pace, no chance with winner approaching last, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Sarando (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
Reymysterio (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Chsd wnr til wknd 3 out, 5th of 6, 18l behind Smugglers' Run (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp in May.
Special Occasion 4-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, shaken up after 3 out, ridden in 3rd after next, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Giorgio Quercus (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov chs (3) gd in Jan.
Swansbrook (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, chased leading pair under pressure 4 out, to 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 7, 20l behind Hidden Keel (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Jan.
Tasheba 28-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, reminder 6th, weakened 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Grands Crus (10-10) at Haydock 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Bathwick Quest (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Prominent, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Cadoudalas (11-5) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy in Jan.
Tarabela 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 12th of 18, well behind Pocketwood (11-9) at Exeter 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
