tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed before 2 out, one pace
in touch, headway to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly
towards rear, headway after 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten
mid-division, weakened before 3 out behind when pulled up next
in touch, effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace
close up to 3 out, weakened
mid-division, weakened 3 out, pulled up 2 out
led, headed after 3 out, faded from 2 out
always behind
behind, struggling halfway
always behind, pulled up 2 out
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
in touch, effort 2 out, one pace run-in
A big field though not many arrive in decent form. EAST HILL scored over a longer trip here in October and ran well enough when fourth in a tougher contest back at the track last time - Colin Tizzard's charge may come out best. Oscar Jane landed a double in November but never figured off a 10lb higher mark on her latest start though Lions Charge has been winning on the Flat since last over hurdles and may figure. Chepstow winner Sadma has a shout if forgiven a poor effort last time and Columbanus ran well over these hurdles in between a couple of modest efforts.
Badger Wood 11-1 (11-0) Close up, led 2nd pushed along 6 out, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 13 1/4l behind Jaja De Jau (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Sadma 8-1 (11-0) Took keen hold tracking leaders, hard driven to challenge 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 8, 36 3/4l behind Solstice Star (10-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Padova 33-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, lost place when mistake 7th, soon weakened, blundered 3 out, last of 8, dist behind Arquebusier (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Sheer Poetry (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Towards rear when stumbled and unseated rider 4 out, at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Victory Rich (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Keen led approaching 2nd, jumped right next, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened and pulled up 2 out, at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Lions Charge (USA) 5-2fav (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to lead close home, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating King Olav (9-10) by hd, 13 ran.
Oscar Jane (IRE) 11-8fav (11-6) Led, headed between 4 out and 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Shaky Gift (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Acadian (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, lost place before 4th, never on terms after, 7th of 14, 15 3/4l behind Exemplary (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
East Hill 12-1 (10-2) Led until headed approaching last, ridden and no extra run-in, 4th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Panis Angelicus (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Norphin 33-1 (10-11) Chased leader until 2nd, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Darwins Theory (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
On The Road (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place after 2nd, soon towards rear, weakened 4 out, last of 8, dist behind Ma du Fou (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Columbanus (IRE) 10-3fav (10-0) Raced wide, held up, headway chasing leaders after 5th, every chance 3 out, ridden and one pace before last, 5th of 14, 11 3/4l behind Exemplary (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Appropriate (FR) 50-1 (10-0) In rear, kept wide, mistake 7th, well beaten after 3 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Arquebusier (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Vering (FR) 40-1 (10-0) Led until before 2 out, chased leading pair, ridden and well held before the last, weakened and lost two places run-in, 5th of 12, 10 1/2l behind Kleitomachos (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Normandy King (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Led, not always fluent, went left 5th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, dist behind Cloudy Dream (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
