held up in touch, ridden 3 out, one pace
chased leader, led after 5th, not fluent and ridden 7th, headed soon after 3 out, weakened quickly
held up towards rear, hit 7th, headway after 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, hit last, pushed out to lead flat, ran on well
prominent, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, led on bit after 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed last, ran on, not pace of winner
led to 5th, chased leader, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, reminder after 5th, weakened 7th
held up last, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, mistake 5th, pulled up soon after
in touch, headway and challenged 3 out, ridden 3rd when mistake 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on from 2 out
A wide popen contest rounds off the card and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Desert Quest, Devito and Direct Flight and the narrow vote is given to the last named. The selection won a novices chase in good style last time out, he returns to hurdles on a fair mark and in an open affair he looks a sporting bet under conditions that suit. Desert Quest rates the main danger on his best form but he was letr down by his jumping last time out and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Devito won well last time when beating Candarli but he has a penalty for that win and that may just find him out in this more competitive affair. Of the remainder Etendard Indien is from as yard in form and could go well at a price but he has shown very little of late so he can not be put forward with any confidence and for the winner we return to Direct Flight.
Devito (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, led on bit after 2 out, shaken up to go clear approaching last, eased flat, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Nov beating Candarli (10-11) by 4l, 10 ran.
Etendard Indien (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Admiral (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (B) gs in Oct, 12 ran.
Desert Quest (IRE) 11-10fav (11-6) Held up in mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 4 out in race won by The Local (11-4) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs, 13 ran.
Dr Cerullo 7-2jt-fav (11-5) Led, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 17, 18l behind Gallant Approach (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Direct Flight (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up, headway 10th, led 3 out, clear 2 out, hit last, easily, won at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov beating Euro Bleu (9-9) by 6l, 5 ran.
Monte Cristo (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 7th of 13, 47l behind Tomina (11-12) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Apr.
Musimaro (FR) 33-1 (11-6) Towards rear, mistake 2nd and 7th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Runner Bean (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
New Currency (USA) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 13l behind Zarakash (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Jul.
Caspian Dusk 33-1 (11-1) Mid-division, lost place after 3rd, soon behind, 11th of 15, 32l behind Petwick (11-8) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Nov.
Adecco (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) Led 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 10, 32l behind Devito (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Nov.
