mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway approaching 6th, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching 2 out, ridden and switched right approaching last, stayed on flat, not reach winner
mid-division, outpaced after 8th, hit 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
with leader, led 4th, mistake 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden to lead again briefly 2 out, weakened flat
always towards rear
led and jumped right, headed 4th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
started slowly, behind, brief effort 6th, soon weakened
chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last
Tanikos is marginally preferred to Feel The Pride. Tanikos was unable to make use of his favourable hurdles rating at Sandown on Boxing Day but he should have stripped fitter for the run. Pushed along at an early stage, he did at least keep on galloping. The ground should present few issues. Feel The Pride was outclassed at Cheltenham on his most recent start. She too needs plenty of driving so whether the handicap mark of 131 is generous is a matter of some serious doubt. No Visibility may front run today. He can make the odd mistake. Jericho III is plenty exposed but is noted in the market as his stable are firing out the winners at present. The Local was the subject of plenty of market interest prior to being pulled out of an engagement earlier in the week. The market is examined here in case those same faces are back on again. Madison du Berlais' most recent run is forgiven as his stable were out of form at the time. Tanikos is a tentative pick in a trappy race.
Feel The Pride (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Always behind, 7th of 9, well behind Tysou (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gs in Dec.
Kalca Mome (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Always in rear, 6th of 13, 23l behind Lord Maizey (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Dec.
Tanikos (FR) 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, stayed on to dispute lead 2 out, soon outpaced by winner, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Albarino (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
The Local 6-1 (11-4) Made all, clear 3 out, 15 lengths clear and ridden 2 out, finished tired, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec beating Bishop's Bridge (11-4) by 3l, 13 ran.
No Visibility (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led, headed 6th, stayed prominent, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 13, 6l behind Lord Maizey (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Dec.
Jericho III (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Led until after 4 out, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Nowator (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
Romany Dream 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 21l behind Return Home (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) sft in Dec.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 10-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, mistake 3rd, close 3rd when blundered and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Another Native (10-9) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
