held up towards rear, badly hampered and unseated rider 5th
led to 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened last
pulled early and chased leader, joint leader 2nd, led 6th, clear approaching 2 out, shaken up approaching last, easily
prominent, ridden after 3 out, kept on to go 2nd from last
prominent, ridden after 8th, weakened 3 out
held up last, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division until fell 5th
A competitive qualifier for the series final at Cheltenham in which many eyes will be on PRIDE OF DULCOTE. Dansimar is of interest along with Lupanar and Mister Gloss. Pride Of Dulcote made the headlines for the wrong reasons at Cheltenham but that didn't deflect from how well he was travelling at the time. It certainly didn't escape the handicapper's attention as he races from a 7lb higher mark but he has more than enough scope to defy that and could be a player come March. Elusive Dream has a tough task back in handicap company but he is a class act and could feature over a circuit that should suit but he has to give weight to some progressive young hurdlers. Mister Gloss has done well since reverting to hurdling and should still be competitive whilst Lupanar was well backed to get the better of Doubly Guest and Franchoek at Exeter and could make light of his revised mark. Galient is lightly raced and capable of better whilst Abragante is more than capable when in the right frame of mind. We'll also add Dansimar to our list as Venetia Williams has won this race twice in recent years and this filly did everything asked of her last term. This is as intriguing a puzzle as ever but Pride Of Dulcote could take all the beating.
Abragante (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Hit 1st, hampered 2nd, always towards rear, 9th of 12, well behind Roll Along (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Nov.
Kawagino (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, weakened 8th, 7th of 8, 18l behind Chomba Womba (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Pride of Dulcote (FR) 10-3fav (10-11) In rear, headway 3 out, going well when fell 2 out in race won by Fair Along (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov, 15 ran.
Galient (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, one pace and no impression before last, lost two places flat, 4th of 17, 7l behind Ballydub (10-10) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Mister Gloss (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) In touch, headway approaching 2 out, soon challenging, led between last 2, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs beating Talenti (10-7) by 3l, 19 ran.
Lupanar (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Held up 4th, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, led soon after last, all out, won at Exeter 2m 3f 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft beating Doubly Guest (10-1) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Dansimar 1-4fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, soon clear, hit 2 out, very easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Aya (10-8) by 20l, 9 ran.
Indian Pipe Dream (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Held up, headway and ridden approaching 8th, held after 3 out, 5th of 7, 16l behind Toby Belch (11-4) at Ascot 3m nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Elusive Dream 14-1 (11-7) Held up, disputing 5th and travelling well when fell 4 out in race won by Punchestowns (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gs, 11 ran.
Wun Chai (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (11-7) Tracked leader, hit 4 out, weakened between last 2, 9th of 15, 29l behind Theatre Belle (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
