tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place after next, headway approaching 10th, not fluent 11th, weakened approaching 16th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway from 14th, went 2nd 16th, led going well approaching 3 out, clear last, easily
held up, headway 13th, ridden 4 out, no impression next
led 2nd, not fluent 10th, ridden 4 out, headed approaching next, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway when mistake 14th, chased winner 3 out, no impression approaching last
in touch, not fluent 3rd, mistake 14th, lost place before next, soon no chance, tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd or 11th, lost place after 13th, soon no chance
led, not fluent and headed 2nd, prominent, weakened after 13th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden after 12th, lost place next, weakened 17th, tailed off
held up in rear, mistakes, effort 16th, weakened next, well beaten 4 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, headway 2nd, mistake 5th, ridden after 11th, weakened 4 out
behind from 4th, tailed off
Nonrunner
Richard's Sundance is on a very handy mark at present but was an early faller at Cheltenham last time and Victor Dartnall also saddles top weight Nicto De Beauchene. Zarrafakt was second on his reappearance at Newbury but Knighton Combe and Aldertune have a bit to prove at present and Diamond Brook has disappointed so far this winter. The Sawyer's preferred engagement is at Haydock but in-form Bob Buckler still has a viable candidate in DOUBLE DIZZY. The 11-year-old landed the Sussex National at Plumpton earlier this month in a canter and appears to retain plenty of enthusiasm. This is more competitive but there's no reason to suggest he won't be in the firing-line again.
Nicto De Beauchene (FR) 8-1 (10-7) Prominent, hit 10th, left in lead 15th (canal turn), headed when hit 3 out, weakened before next where mistake, pulled up before last, in a race won by West End Rocker (10-10) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Zarrafakt (IRE) 5-1fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, steady headway on outside 12th, chasing leaders 13th, hit 4 out, stumbled 3 out, went 2nd next, 2 lengths down last, closed on winner close home, just failed, 2nd of 13, hd behind That'lldoboy (10-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Knighton Combe 66-1 (9-9) Held up in mid-division, headway after 11th, ridden 17th, weakened approaching 5 out, tailed off, 8th of 20, well behind Le Beau Bai (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, fell 6th, in a race won by Mostly Bob (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs, 13 ran.
Aldertune (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Behind, headway 6th, soon mid-division, weakened 12th, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Le Beau Bai (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Leading Contender (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leading trio, slow 2nd, went 3rd 5th, went 2nd approaching 10th until 12th, lost place next, behind when hit 15th, rallied from 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner when lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Rey Nacarado (11-2) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Fair Point (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, hit 12th, left 5th 3 out, keeping on when left close 3rd and carried left 2 out, stayed on to press for 2nd close home, unable to reach winner, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Fruity O'Rooney (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Dec.
Diamond Brook (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Badly hampered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Double Dizzy (10-9) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy, 9 ran.
Double Dizzy 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, hampered and rider lost iron briefly 10th, led 16th, drew clear after 3 out, won at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy beating Justabout (9-8) by 15l, 9 ran.
Le Burf (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Mid-division, blundered 1st, mistake 9th, not fluent 13th, mistake 15th, hit 4 out, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Mostly Bob (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs, 13 ran.
Rustarix (FR) 7-1 (11-8) In touch, driven 11th, lost place 5 out, no chance from next, 4th of 9, 32l behind Air Force One (11-12) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Lavenoak Lad 12-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden after 7th, behind from 10th, 5th of 8, 33l behind Folie A Deux (10-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs.
The Sawyer (BEL) 12-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 11th, headed 15th, 12 lengths 4th when not fluent 4 out, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Mostly Bob (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
