chased leaders, chased (clear) leader 4th, closed before 2 out, where every chance but lost 2nd, driven in 3rd and stayed on same pace run-in
led clear after 3rd until before 2 out, joined 2 out, ridden and headed last, stayed on same pace run-in
raced keenly, chased clear leader until hit 4th, chased leading pair but off the pace until dropped to 4th after next, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off
held up, off the pace, in 5th, closer in 3rd after 5th, closed on outside and challenging in 2nd when awkward 2 out, led last, ridden clear run-in
prominent, in chasing group, pushed along in 5th place after 5th, struggling in 4th place after 3 out, weakening when tired and fell 2 out
well off the pace, towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 5th, tailed off
well off the pace, towards rear, tailed off when blundered 7th, pulled up before next
soon off the pace, in mid-division, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
always behind, tailed off when mistake 3 out, soon pulled up
soon off the pace, towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 5th, tailed off when mistake 3 out, blundered last
well off the pace, towards rear, modest 5th before 2 out, plugged on, never involved
well off the pace, in rear, tailed off when mistake 3 out, plugged on, never involved
off the pace, in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, struggling after 5th, modest 4th before 2 out, never involved
Nonrunner
DASHING OSCAR is one of several penalised for earlier wins but has won both starts since returning to action and may be worth sticking with on the back of his latest success at Sandown. Both Phobiaphiliac and Royal Supremo failed in their bids for hat-tricks but the former looks to have the stronger form of that pair while Forecast has been beaten twice since scoring at Hereford in October. It remains to be seen if Doncaster winner The Unit fares has more to offer under his penalty but Clo Sacre can only improve for Paul Nicholls now hurdling having looked a headstrong type in a bumper at Chepstow in October.
Dashing Oscar (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Led until approaching 3rd, chased leader, left in lead before 2 out, ridden and joined between last 2, good jump last, stayed on gamely run-in and always doing enough, won at Sandown 2m (3) gs in Dec beating Crystal Lad (10-12) by nk, 9 ran.
Phobiaphiliac (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Soon led, headed 4 out, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last, at Newbury 2m 5f (3) sft in Nov.
Royal Supremo (IRE) 4-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, chased clear leaders 4th, hit next, ridden 3 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 5, dist behind Justforjames (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
The Unit (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd or 6th, headway before 4 out, went 2nd approaching 3 out, shaken up to lead, edged left and led before not fluent last, driven out flat, won at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov beating Ballycrystal (11-5) by hd, 5 ran.
Clo Sacre (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, effort over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 9, dist behind Poetic Rhythm (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Findusatgorcombe 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, well beaten after 3 out, mistake 2 out, 13th of 18, dist behind Movewiththetimes (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Dec.
Fit As A Fiddle 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Misterton (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Hurricane Hunter (IRE) 125-1 (11-2) Held up, weakened after 3 out, 15th of 16, dist behind River Wylde (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
King Billy Be 10-1 (12-0) (tt) hdwy 7; mists 11 & 12; pu 14, at Littlewindsor 3m mdn sft in Apr.
Presiding (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Mid div, 7th 5out & sl clsr in 5th frm 3out, ld 2out & gng best when jumped lft last, so flat, easily, won at Curraghmore 3m mdn gd in Apr beating Davie's Delight (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Rebel Beat 33-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway tracking leaders 4th, in 4th place when fell 3 out, at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Ruler Of The Nile 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 15, 20l behind Red Indian (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Samdibien (FR) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leader, mistake 2nd, chased winner after 3 out, no chance when dropped to 3rd soon after next, one pace, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Fountains Windfall (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in May.
Forecast 5-1 (11-4) Held up, in rear but in touch, took closer order 4 out, not fluent 3 out, effort 2 out, kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Laugharne (10-12) at Taunton 3m (4) gf in Dec.
