not always fluent, held up, in touch from 2nd, went 2nd 13th until mistake 4 out, rallying when jumped right 2 out, jumped right and one pace last
led, often jumped really well, not fluent 3 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat
held up, not much room 1st, pecked 8th, weakened and pulled up before 12th
prominent, not fluent 8th, ridden 12th, not fluent 13th, blundered 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, hit 6th, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, led before last, driven out
tracked leaders, lost place before 12th, weakened next, pulled up after
Grand Vision was second over hurdles at this meeting last year but his jumping has left something to be desired over fences so far. Wetherby winner Sego Success is interesting as the runner-up has franked the form while Mosspark should be winning soon. Tara Road found 2m1f too short at Newbury and is entitled to respect while the mare Mickie will relish this trip but the hat-trick seeking It's A Steal could find conditions too testing. DEPUTY DAN tackles 3m for the first time since finishing second in the Albert Bartlett at The Festival last year. He won a Grade 2 over hurdles on this card 12 months ago and can get back to winning ways after being outpaced over shorter at Chepstow last time.
Deputy Dan (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Jumped right at times, held up towards rear, headway 8th, mistake 5 out, 3rd and no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Quincy Des Pictons (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec.
Grand Vision (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Jumped left, chased leader until 2nd, 2nd again approaching 7th until before 12th, chased leading trio, weakened after 3 out, left poor 3rd last, kept on, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Irish Saint (11-3) at Ascot 2m 5f grad ch (2) gs in Dec.
It's A Steal (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Mid-division, hampered 10th, steady headway 5 out, soon tracked leading pair, led approaching 2 out, drew clear between last 2, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec beating Rio Milan (11-1) by 11l, 10 ran.
Mosspark (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Held up in rear, reminder 11th, outpaced before 4 out, no impression in 4th when hit 2 out, went modest 3rd before last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Close Touch (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Sego Success (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 4 out, led 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating If In Doubt (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Tara Road 11-4fav (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along on inside and outpaced before 4 out, rallied from after 3 out, went 4th run-in, 4th of 7, 10l behind Royal Regatta (10-13) at Newbury 2m 1f nov hcap ch (3) sft in Nov.
Mickie 15-8 (11-0) Stumbled 1st, chased leading pair, went 2nd 12th, pushed along and held between last two, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Highland Retreat (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mares nov ch (4) gs in Dec.
