close up, challenged 3 out, weakened before last
led, headed before 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner
held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, led before 2 out, clear before and not fluent last
in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out to chase leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened from last
Sir Ivan looks where the handicapper wishes him to be, especially having been hoisted a further 3lb for a solid third placing last time. However, the Fry yard is back in form after a quiet little spell and he should be on the premises once again. Recent winner Phantom Prince, the consistent Norse Legend and lightly-weighted The Geegeez Geegee are all respected but BAOULET DELAROQUE impressed when outpointing Divine Spear in a Doncaster novice hurdle and has been allotted a feasible mark for this move into handicap company. Hopefully, he'll handle the forecast testing conditions having gone well enough thorough very soft ground when competing in France.
Shammick Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up, headway after 4th, mistake and lost place next, soon behind and struggling, tailed off and pulled up approaching 3 out, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Sir Ivan 8-1 (10-8) Led, ridden 2 out, hung left and headed after last, kept on, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind If In Doubt (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Phantom Prince (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along briefly at 2nd and ran in snatches throughout, 4th when slow jump and ridden briefly 6 out, improved into 3rd 3 out, 2nd and ridden next, headway to lead after last, kept on well under pressure, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Aug beating Dawn Flyer (11-5) by 1l, 8 ran.
Norse Legend 20-1 (11-1) With leaders, led 3 out, headed briefly 2 out, ridden last and soon headed, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Winning Spark (10-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Baoulet Delaroque (FR) 15-8 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led before last, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan beating Divine Spear (11-6) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Dolores Delightful (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along 9th, jumped right next, weakened next, blundered 4 out, soon pulled up, at Exeter 2m 3f (3) hvy in Dec.
Space Walker (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led, headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
The Geegeez Geegee (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Close up, hit 6th, pushed along 3 out, ridden next, plugged on, pressed for 3rd close home, not trouble leaders, 4th of 5, 12 1/4l behind Palm Grey (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
