always behind
in touch, ridden 2 out, weakening when hung left approaching last
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
mid-division, behind 7th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, hit 4th, soon lost place, tailed off
held up, racing wide, headway 5th, ridden 7th, soon weakened
lost place 4th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up rear, headway 7th, weakened 3 out
in touch until weakened 7th
led, mistake 6th, ridden and headed when mistake 2 out, 3rd and weakening when blundered last
chased leader, ridden 8th, led 2 out, driven out
Nonrunner
Mouseski would not appear to be the best handicapped horse in the race but the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is at least in good form and, with his capable young rider good value for his 7lb claim, he is preferred to some generally out of sorts rivals the pick of who could be Jaloux d'Estruval and Just Beth. The last mentioned has improved with each start this term, running a fair fourth behind Covent Garden in a better race than this at Aintree last time but this is his fourth start in quick succession and he may be best watched now. Shamawan would have claims on his best but Jonjo O'Neill's horses are generally out of form at present. Moscow Whisper could be of interest back over hurdles having had his problems jumping fences, while The Flyer would have claims if stepping up on his reappearance effort behind Overserved at Uttoxeter last month. Amber Starlight is probably flattered by his proximity to Heltornic last time and of more interest may be Jaloux d'Estruval, who made an encouraging return at Lingfield under similarly testing conditions last month. Mouseski has been running to a consistent level of form all season though and, while the handicapper has not made life easy for him, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is still well treated on chase form and may be good enough off his new mark against these.
Mouseski 4-1fav (11-1) Chased leaders, under pressure 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 24, 15l behind Water King (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (E) gs in Nov.
Jaloux d'Estruval (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Held up, headway to track leading pair after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression before last, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Miko de Beauchene (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) hvy in Nov.
Nick's Choice 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 12, well behind Flying Enterprise (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Nov.
Just Beth 33-1 (10-3) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 12, 9l behind Covent Garden (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Nov.
Shamawan (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Held up, headway 8th, led 3 out, headed and no extra close home, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind On Y Va (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
The Flyer (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 10l behind Overserved (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Nov.
Amber Starlight 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway7th, chased winner 3 out, closed before last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Heltornic (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 7f mrs nov hdl (E) sft in Nov.
Moscow Whisper (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Stumbled and unseated rider in race won by Saffron Sun (10-9) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
