tracked leaders, every chance from 2 out, kept on same pace closing stages
mid-division, slow 4th, weakened 5 out
held up in rear, headway 6th, weakened 5 out, eased next, behind when pulled up 2 out
raced freely tracking leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon challenged, held on well
held up in rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on under pressure to challenge after last, every chance close home, just failed
disputed lead, blundered 7th, led 4 out, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching next, weakened last
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, never on terms
mid-division, blundered 7th, soon lost place, rallied 3 out, chased leaders next, weakened last
pulled hard, disputed lead until 4 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
Bellenos won over course and distance in December but is now 12lb higher and has been beaten twice since. Funny Star had Witness In Court behind when third at Musselburgh and isn't without a chance but Noche De Reyes has more to do than when scoring at Ludlow and Oyster Shell couldn't cope with a higher mark last time at the same track. Headly's Bridge probably needs a stiffer test of stamina but does arrive on a hat-trick. The improving AHYAKNOWYERSELF can advertise Cheltenham form by landing this as he has the beating of Manyriverstocross on their run together at The Festival and Brick Red had a very hard race in the Arkle.
Brick Red 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders to 3rd, soon behind, outpaced 6th, no impression when slightly hampered 2 out, 7th of 9, 11l behind Western Warhorse (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs.
Funny Star 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, pecked next, not fluent 12th, soon ridden, one pace from 4 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Ericht (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Ahyaknowyerself (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division on outside, headway and in touch 3 out, went 3rd and effort 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no extra in 4th flat, 4th of 19, 4l behind Present View (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs.
Manyriverstocross (IRE) 17-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms, 7th of 19, 10l behind Present View (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs.
Bellenos (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, chased winner approaching 2 out, ridden and close up flat, unable to quicken, eased towards finish, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Shotavodka (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Witness In Court (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Tracked winner, dived at 3rd, dropped to 3rd before next where jumped slowly, outpaced 6th, closed to 2nd again 3 out, went left next, soon no chance with unchallenged winner, kept on for 2nd, 2nd of 3, 13l behind Sound Investment (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) gs.
Oyster Shell 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 8th, went close 2nd when left in lead 3 out, edged left after last, soon headed, held after, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Sonofagun (9-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd.
Noche De Reyes (FR) 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd from 3rd, not fluent 8th, lost 2nd next, challenged 3 out, led before next, clear last, ran on well, readily, won at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gd beating Bullet Street (11-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
Vision Des Champs (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Took keen hold, held up in rear, modest 5th 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 36l behind Phantom Prince (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Able Deputy 6-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Kitegen (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gs.
Definite Dream (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Close up, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 8, 20l behind Highway Code (11-9) at Newbury 2m 2f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gs in Nov.
Headly's Bridge (IRE) 2-5fav (11-5) Made virtually all, in command when went badly right last, stayed on flat, driven out, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs (4) gs beating Valid Point (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
