led, blundered 10th, headed 5 out, weakened after next
held up in touch, under pressure 14th, staying on when left in 2nd 3 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, mistake 13th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 12th, under pressure next, never on terms
in rear, pushed along 11th, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on well, nearest finish
slowly away, mistake 1st, in rear when fell 2nd
in rear, not fluent 6th, driven next, jumped slowly 9th, soon detatched, tailed off
chased leaders, outpaced 12th, rallying when mistake 14th, led 4 out, fell next
with leader until 4th, soon chsaing leaders, lost place 7th, soon behind
in touch, went 2nd 4th, led 5 out, headed next, left in clear lead 3 out, easily
Sona Sasta ran at Newbury yesterday so must be a doubtful starter here under his welter burden. Abbey Dore ploughed through the Fontwell mud earlier this month to win his fourth race in five outings. That proved his stamina over this trip but he's been put up a further 15lb by the handicapper, who may have his measure now. Lavenoak Lad is a proven stayer and has won at the track in the past but he finished behind ACONITUM over 3m here last time and re-opposes on the same terms. The latter has been frustrating on the whole but this step up in distance could be the making of him and he's run his best races with the visor on. Reland, on the other hand, may struggle to stay this far but is at least more resolute than Son Histoire.
Son Histoire (FR) 15-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, dropped rear and reminders 9th, some headway under pressure when blundered 14th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, 35l behind Mr Big (11-4) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
River Indus 33-1 (11-5) Led until 3rd, chased leader, led again 4th, headed 10th, led before 12th, headed next, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 13, 8l behind Sultan Fontenaille (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Reland (FR) 7-1 (11-12) With leader until 3rd, prominent, ridden approaching 13th, slightly outpaced after 15th, went 3rd before 4 out, not fluent last, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Azulada Bay (11-8) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Abbey Dore (IRE) 85-40fav (10-5) In touch, chased leaders from 4th, went 2nd before 4 out, challenging when pecked 2 out, led before last, stayed on strongly and came clear flat, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy beating Topless (11-11) by 18l, 8 ran.
Lavenoak Lad 40-1 (11-1) Towards rear, steady headway 8th, led 13th, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner and lost 2 places close home, 4th of 13, 2l behind Sultan Fontenaille (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Chico Time (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Made most until headed approaching 8th, weakened under pressure 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 14, 34l behind Awesome Freddie (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Aconitum (GER) 14-1 (11-3) Chased leader, hit 2nd, led next, mistake and headed 4th, lost place when pushed along after 10th, still plenty to do and only 7th when blundered 2 out, strong run from last, finished well to almost snatch 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Sultan Fontenaille (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Glebehall Bay (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 13th, plugged on from 3 out, went 3rd at last, no impression, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Incentivise (11-6) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Wizard of Edge 5-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair, pulled up after 9th, in a race won by Outside Investor (9-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Oct, 8 ran.
Rudinero (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led 3 out, soon headed, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression, 5th of 10, 12l behind Pete The Feat (11-12) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
Sona Sasta (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Led until 3rd, chased leader, led again 10th, came well clear 13th, stayed on strongly, very easily, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Omix D'or (11-8) by 18l, 9 ran.
