chased leaders, headway approaching 8th, weakened approaching 4 out
towards rear, headway when mistake 4 out, kept on from next
not fluent, always behind, struggling from 8th
held up, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, weakened from 2 out
chased leaders, led after 5 out, clear from 3 out, easily
with leader early, went 3rd approaching 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
led to 5 out, hit next, weakened after 3 out,
with leaders, ridden approaching 5 out, weaking when hit 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, hit 1st, pushed along approaching 9th, ridden after 5 out, kept on from 3 out
A renewal in line with the regrettable downgrade of this contest but CALATAGAN comes into his own around here and he can account for Moon Over Miami and Tidal Fury. Malcolm Jefferson invariably has the old boy primed for this and while he is with his obvious quirks, he should have come on for his recent run at Cheltenham. Moon Over Miami has not progressed as anticipated. He can ill afford to make mistakes here. Tidal Fury was not unsupported ahead of his most recent outing at Haydock Park. He is coming down the handicap having rated in excess of 140 in the past but he may be better with more give in the ground. Santa's Son represents a yard that had a couple of winners yesterday so the market is watched closely. Venetia Williams had more winners on Boxing Day so Stan has to be respected despite making a massive drop in trip. Saintsaire would have been a player on old form but the fact that he was sold so cheaply out of the Paul Nicholls yard is more than just a little worrying for the formbook students. Calatagan gets the call.
Stan (NZ) 18-1 (10-9) Chased leaders until after 10th, soon behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Imperial Commander (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov, 19 ran.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 2-1fav (10-8) In touch, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, chased leader 7th, challenged after 4 out, led briefly approaching 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 7, 22l behind Pablo Du Charmil (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Calatagan (IRE) 17-2 (10-6) Held up in last, mistake 2nd, pushed along after 4 out, mistake 3 out, stayed on same pace to take 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Pablo Du Charmil (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Saintsaire (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, went moderate 3rd soon after last, 3rd of 11, 25l behind Petit Robin (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Santa's Son (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, blundered 9th, challenged and every chance 3 out, ridden and one pace approaching next, 5th of 15, 14l behind Always Waining (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Sept.
Locksmith 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, ridden and lost place after 5 out, 10th of 14, well behind Medicinal (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Lord Jay Jay (IRE) 22-1 (10-6) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 10th, tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind Snoopy Loopy (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Jul.
Tidal Fury (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, one pace when hit 3 out, 6th of 14, 25l behind Medicinal (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Daldini 11-2 (10-3) Chased leaders, led 4th, headed approaching 3 out, one pace from last, 4th of 11, 9l behind Laskari (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft.
