held up, not fluent 6th, cajoled along after 7th, driven 10th, headway approaching next, one pace from 3 out
prominent, chased winner 9th until not fluent next, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
in touch, not fluent 12th, hung left from approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
in touch, chased winner 6th to 9th and again from 10th, beaten 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd flat
held up in rear, reminder after 10th, stayed on flat, never dangerous
chased winner, hit 5th, lost 2nd next, hit 9th, weakened after 10th, pulled up before next
made all, clear when hit 3 out, hung left approaching 2 out, stayed on flat
held up in rear, headway when hit 10th, soon lost place, no impression after
ARCTIC SHADOW has been in fine form of late and might be able to land this from Its A Classic and Magot de Grugy. Tim Vaughan's horse is 9lbs higher than when suffering defeat last time but perhaps he was just outstayed that day, so today's slight drop in trip can help him go one better and land this. Richard Johnson once more takes the ride and it's interesting that connections are keen to stick to fences, despite the gelding's hurdle mark being a few pounds lower, and that decision can gain rewards here. Although beaten last time there was a massive gap back to the third-placed horse and so this rise in the weights doesn't look as harsh as at first it might and softening conditions should be fine so he'll take some beating. The yard should know where they stand with Its A Classic who rates a likely danger. Roger Curtis' charge beat a warm favourite of Vaughan's last time when getting up close home and a 7lb rise for that success would appear fair, although today's slight drop in trip is seen as a negative and he's therefore narrowly overlooked with Magot de Grugy. The last named is another who arrives in good form having taken third last time and the nine-year-old is able to race off the same mark here. That rating of 110 is one that should allow room for manoeuvre and the step up to beyond three miles looks a good move so decent prize money awaits connections. Nelson is another with chances in what appears an open contest. This one took second behind an improving sort last time under similar conditions to those faced today and so must be respected, with his rider's claim helping to lighten the load. Similarly, Giles Hawkins claims 7lb off top weight Peut Etre Sivola, who must be given a chance despite the welter burden. David Pipe's inmate stays all day and won't go down without a fight although the feeling is he's a shade high in the weights, whilst Fourball is another for whom a drop in the ratings wouldn't go amiss. The last mentioned is having only his fifth start for current trainer Jonjo O'Neill and it might be significant that AP McCoy is aboard for the first time today so a precautionary market check is advised. Pontiff and Devil's Creek both look to be up against it despite the latter having no weight to carry, although Pontiff could sneak a place if fit for this outing following an absence. Another pretty competitive race in prospect here but Arctic Shadow looks worth following in this sort of form and he gets the vote.
Peut Etre Sivola (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Mid-division approaching 1st, in 4th after 10th, 3rd approaching 4 out, well beaten in 5th last, 5th of 11, 23l behind Present M'lord (11-7) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy.
Arctic Shadow 10-3 (11-12) Chased leaders, led 5th, joined and pressed 2 out, stayed upsides and every chance until not quicken last 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Knock Em Dead (11-5) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Aug.
Fourball (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, hit 5th, headway approaching 11th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 13, 13l behind Buffalo Bob (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 5-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden 3 out, kept on to go 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Senor Shane (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Its A Classic 13-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, led 11th, headed before 3 out, rallied, every chance next, hard ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead close home, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Montana Gold (11-1) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Nelson (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Close up, led after 2nd, headed 5th, led again 10th, headed 4 out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Ayemdee (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Pontiff (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, every chance when blundered 5 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 18, 12l behind Supreme Keano (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Devil's Creek (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) In touch, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace from next, 5th of 8, 11l behind Carrickmines (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
