struggling 10th, always in rear, hit 4 out, pulled up before next
in touch, ridden after 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden after 8th, weakened 4 out
not always fluent, always in rear, mistake 12th, no chance when fell 3 out
held up, headway after 9th, hit 4 out, soon outpaced, went modest 3rd approaching last
chased leaders, hit 7th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
led at good pace until 3rd, chased winner until 12th, weakened and jumped right from 4 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, outpaced by winner after 4 out, hit 2 out, lost 2nd and weakening when hit last
led 3rd, drew well clear after 4 out, very easily
LE BURF paid the price for jumping poorly last time but he can make amends today by beating Ouzbeck and Atouchbetweenacara. Giles Smyly's gelding races off a mark of 131 once again today and he was in the process of running a fine race in the Festival Plate before falling four fences from home. We know that he acts on good ground, has Noel Fehily back on board (2 from 2 on the beast) and a big run is expected. The consistent pair of Nikola and Atouchbetweencara rate as dangers, despite the latter being 4lbs out of the weights. Private Be is probably well-handicapped now but he has failed to sparkle this season, comments that also apply to Oslot and Ouzbeck. The latter is blinkered for the first time today but in truth he has struggled outside of Novice company since last summer. Fier Normand bounced back to form last time at Ludlow but it was a weak race, comments that might also apply to Mr Boo but he hasn't been over-raced and is unlikely to be far away if turning up in the same form of his win last time at Lingfield. Another testing handicap but preference is for Le Burf.
Oslot (FR) 25-1 (11-11) Hit 11th, always in rear, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Something Wells (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 23 ran.
Ouzbeck (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Always behind, 5th of 8, well behind Tartak (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd.
Oceanos des Obeaux (FR) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until 10th, soon behind, pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Something Wells (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 23 ran.
Fier Normand (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up, jumped left 7th, headway next, pushed along briefly after 11th, went 3rd before 4 out, jumped left 3 out, still 5 lengths down last, ran on under pressure flat to lead near finish, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating Sou'wester (11-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mr Boo (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Held up, always going well, headway after 4 out, chased leaders approaching 3 out, shaken up to lead flat, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar beating Laskari (10-8) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Private Be 16-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on one pace from next, 5th of 29, 19l behind Irish Raptor (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd.
Le Burf (FR) 28-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, hit 2nd and 8th, not fluent 9th, still close up when fell 4 out, in a race won by Something Wells (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 23 ran.
Nikola (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Led, ridden approaching last, kept on under pressure, until headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 10, hd behind Tom's Toybox (10-9) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Atouchbetweenacara (IRE) 10-3fav (10-1) Tracked leaders 4th, led 11th, headed 4 out, blundered badly 3 out, led again between last 2, headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
