raced wide, held up in touch in 6th, reminders and ridden along 10th, effort 12th, not fluent 14th, went 3rd next until weakened after 3 out, tailed off
chasing leaders in 4th when blundered and unseated rider 11th
raced wide, chased leading pair, reminders 8th, went 2nd 10th until 14th, weakened 15th
held up in 5th in touch, taken wide before 11th, went 3rd next, tracked leader 14th, led 17th, 6 lengths ahead before 2 out, ridden and reduced lead between last 2, headed last, weakened to 3rd flat
chased leader until 10th, badly outpaced and driven before 12th, rallied 4 out, went 3rd after 3 out, went 6 lengths 2nd when hit 2 out, led last, stayed on well flat, caught close home
hedl up in last pair, slightly hampered 11th, some headway 15th, no impression next
led, blundered 12th, headed 17th, chased leader until before 2 out, hit 2 out and weakened
held up in rear, not travelling well when blundered badly 9th, and soon detached, staying on when hit 16th, headway to chase leading trio after 3 out, stayed on well from last, strong run to lead close home
Nonrunner
The Sawyer was fourth at Cheltenham last time and is back on a winning mark. But he hasn't been in the same form this season as last and this trip undoubtedly stretches his stamina. French raider Royal Tune won easily at Ffos Las in December but is another yet to prove he stays this far and Carrickmines, who made all to score at Kempton eight days ago, will ensure this is run at a decent gallop. Breedsbreeze has a touch of class but the weight to match, while Exmoor Ranger has also been fighting a losing battle with the handicapper since scoring at Newbury 15 months ago. So, with Iconoclast out the handicap proper, a chance is taken on OGEE who is only 2lb higher than when third in a valuable handicap at the Cheltenham Festival last year and will have needed his comeback run.
Breedsbreeze (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on under pressure, never able to challenge, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Tatenen (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Exmoor Ranger (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up behind, hit 5th, mistake 6 out, headway to chase leaders before 5 out, soon weakened, 9th of 18, 29l behind Synchronised (11-6) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft in Jan.
Roll Along (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) In rear, soon pushed along, behind 5th, tailed off next, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Kilcrea Kim (10-12) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd, 20 ran.
Royal Tune (FR) 4-1fav (11-6) Held up in touch, headway after 8th, led next, baulked 11th, headed 13th, led again 4 out, soon quickened clear, very easily, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec beating Plunkett (10-8) by 17l, 12 ran.
The Sawyer (BEL) 16-1 (10-8) Chased leading pair until 6th, weakened 12th, tailed off, 4th of 10, 31l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan.
Burren Legend (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, soon chasing leaders, edged right flat, stayed on same pace, almost got 2nd, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Eric's Charm (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gd.
Carrickmines (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Jumped well, made all, clear 11th, well in command when hit 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs beating Ravethebrave (11-6) by 15l, 6 ran.
Iconoclast (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, steady headway 11th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and edged left approaching last, driven out, won at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Vamizi (11-4) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Ogee 11-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, blundered 3rd, headway 11th, chased leaders 13th, every chance when blundered 4 out, well beaten 5th when blundered badly 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 17, well behind Midnight Chase (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
