held up in rear, headway 8th, one pace in 3rd when not fluent 2 out, no impression on leaders, lost 3rd flat
tracked leader, led 2nd, headed after 3 out, weakened from next
led until 2nd, prominent until 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, pushed along 7th, outpaced and not fluent 4 out or 3 out, no impression on leaders next, edged left and went 3rd flat
held up, went 3rd from 5th, went 2nd 4 out, led after next, jumped right 2 out, edged right and pressed after last, pulled out extra towards finish, stayed on well
held up in rear, not always fluent, headway on inside before 3 out, no imoression, weakened before next
mid-division, headway 7th, went 2nd before 2 out, every chance flat, held towards finish
Withdrawn
SHANTOU BOB (NAP) must take all the beating here if reproducing the form of his latest second to Vyta Du Roc at Sandown. The winner was only beaten a neck next time in the Challow Hurdle and Warren Greatrex's charge had won all of his previous starts in the style of an improving performer. Rons Dream might run into a place with her mares' allowance but looks well held by the selection on a line through Chepstow winner Sidbury Hill. Anteros ran well over 3m last time but is looking exposed while the remainder have some improving to do, though all have scope. Three Musketeers is very unexposed and may have the brightest future, though he's likely to thrive over fences.
Anteros (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, headway from 2 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Blaklion (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
Flintham 7-1 (11-4) Jumped slickly, made all, stayed on gamely, ridden out, won at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Dec beating The Tourard Man (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Red Tortue (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Made all, clear before last, easily, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Allez Cool (10-7) by 6l, 7 ran.
Shantou Bob (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Chased clear leader until soon after 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied on outside under pressure before 2 out,upsides last, hung left run-in, chased winner final 75 yards, strong challenge near finish, just failed, 2nd of 5, ns behind Vyta Du Roc (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec.
Three Musketeers (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Mid-division in 5th, headway 4 out, led 3 out, clear before last, won at Wetherby 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Red Danaher (10-9) by 5l, 7 ran.
Alisier D'Irlande (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, closer order on outside 7th, chased leaders 4 out, 3rd after next, pushed along and one pace before next, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Arpege D'alene (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Ballagh (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led going well and hit 3 out, hit 2 out, pressed and hit last, narrowly headed run-in, kept on same pace, held when crossed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Different Gravey (10-11) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Rons Dream 40-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, took closer order 5 out, every chance from next, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 7l behind The Pirate's Queen (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f mares listed nov hdl (1) hvy in Dec.
