tracked leaders in 4th, blundered 10th, hit 3 out, ridden and no impression next, kept on running to take 3rd towards finish
behind, driven along from 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leading pair, ridden and plenty to do 3 out, stayed on between last 2, led and mistake last, ridden clear run-in
held up in touch, headway to lead 11th, ridden and kept on well when pressed from 2 out, not fluent and headed last, no extra run-in
always behind, tailed off 4f out, pulled up before 2 out
led to 7th, tracked leader until 11th, weakened 4 out
pressed leader, narrow lead from 7th until headed 11th, chased leader until weakened before last, lost 3rd towards finish
not fluent, in touch, ridden 13th, well behind and no chance when hit 4 out
behind, tailed off when blundered 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
behind, tailed off when fell 4 out
Plenty of thoroughly exposed chasers here and a trappy look to it, but we will side with Moscow Leader to see off The Extra Man, Lord Dundaniel and Mark Equal. Moscow Leader stays well, which is always an advantage at Cheltenham, and generally jumps well. That plus his low racing weight may just help him to pinch this from some others who look weighted up to the hilt. The quirky Alan King-trained The Extra Man ran like he meant it last time, but catching him right can be difficult and if anything can upset a horse it's the undulations of this place, so perhaps he's best opposed. Mark Equal can run his race and perhaps plod into some prize money, while Lord Dundaniel probably also needs a favour from the handicapper before he can score again. Sonevafushi has some pretty decent novice chase form in the locker, but has rather lost his way at present and despite a slight drop, top weight won't make a return to form very easy, so we'll side with Moscow Leader to finish in charge.
Sonevafushi (FR) 8-1 (10-1) Pulled up, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Direct Access (10-0) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (A) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Christopher 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, chased winner from 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 11th of 16, 34l behind Bannow Strand (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
Va Vavoom (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) In rear, some progress after 12th, weakened 2 out, 10th of 16, 38l behind Bold Bishop (11-3) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Nov.
Mark Equal 9-1 (10-10) In touch, headway after 13th to join leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Too Forward (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Nov.
Uncle Wallace 5-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, steady headway from 10th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened and blundered last, 5th of 7, 23l behind Schuh Shine (10-10) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Nov.
The Extra Man (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led, headed 8th, chased winner from next, ridden 4 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Hiers De Brouage (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Nov.
Lord Dundaniel (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Koumba (11-3) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Moscow Leader (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, led 5 out, not fluent next, ridden and headed 3 out, rallied after last, just held, 2nd of 14, hd behind Almire Du Lia (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Nov.
Blitzy Boy (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Towards rear, steady headway 8, ridden 3 out, led and jumped left 2 out, jumped left again last, headed flat, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Runaway Bishop (10-1) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Oct.
Ask The Umpire (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Jumped slowly 1st, mid-division until niggled along 5th, kept on to go poor 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 22l behind dhtrs Taksina (9-4) & Eggmount (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs.
