mid-division, ridden when mistake 13th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, lost place 3rd, mistake 10th, behind when pulled up before 5 out
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
always in rear, mistake 7th, lost touch 9th, pulled up before 11th
tracked leaders, led 3rd, mistake 10th, mistake and headed 4 out, soon weakened
led, headed 2nd, hit 4th, ridden 10th, weakened 13th
never dangerous, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 13th, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed 3rd, led again 4 out, ran on
in rear, headway 13th, ridden 5 out, chased winner from 2 out, not reached winner
mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden 8th, held when pulled up before 4 out
in touch, lost place 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
in rear, stayed on from 4 out
in touch, ridden 5 out, one pace
tracked leaders, every chance when blundered 5 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, headway on inside 13th, weakened 15th
mid-division, reminders 3rd, weakened 8th, pulled up before 12th
towards rear, lost touch 9th, pulled up before 5 out
A big field and perhaps stamina will prove to be the key; preference is for PRESENT M'LORD ahead of Supreme Keano and What A Scientist. The Alner's saddle three in the race and Present M'Lord looks the most interesting. He ran well in defeat last time out beaten behind Deep Quest at Exeter. With the drop in trip in his favour and a proven ability on soft ground, another big run looks on the cards. Bold Punt was well-backed last time out but could not have been more disappointing, being pulled up before five out; he needs to improve significantly on that effort. What A Scientist comes here in great form unlike his stable and his stamina is not in question. Pacco and Iberton are consistent, whilst Notabotheronme won nicely last time out at the track and must be respected despite an 8lb rise in the weights. Supreme Keano must be of a degree of interest as well; Jonjo O'Neill struck on Thursday with a horse who was making his chasing debut in a very competitive handicap and the same could occur here with this well-related son of Supreme Leader. A terrifically tricky handicap, with narrow preference for Present M'Lord.
Mage d'Estruval (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Led until after 1st, weakened from 4 out, 4th of 9, 30l behind Corlande (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
What A Scientist (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Held up in touch, mistake 10th, reminder after 14th, went 2nd approaching 4 out, led 3 out, clear approaching last, stayed on, won at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct beating Earcomesannie (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Stop The Show (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in 5th, went 3rd at 15th, well beaten from last, 3rd of 8, 33l behind Its A Dream (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Bold Punt (IRE) 10-3 (10-8) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, struggling 12th, tailed up when pulled up before 5 out pulled up 5 out in race won by Nicto De Beauchene (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Kilty Storm (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Soon chasing leaders, reminders after 15th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Go For One (11-2) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Present M'lord (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders until lost place 7th, ridden after 10th, headway approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 14, 8l behind Deep Quest (10-11) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, not always fluent, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Tricky Trickster (11-5) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Dec.
Pacco (FR) 11-10fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, blundered 9th, reminders 5 out, blundered next, one pace, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Ours (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Supreme Keano (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, mistake 4th, steady headway from 3 out, led approaching last, kept on, won at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec beating Major Miller (11-4) by 4l, 15 ran.
Notabotheronme (IRE) 7-2fav (11-1) In touch, lost place 11th, headway 5 out, ridden in 3rd when mistake 3 out, stayed on to lead flat, drifted right, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec beating Samsbro (11-7) by 2l, 11 ran.
Ibberton 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hit 8th, ridden and lost place 10th, ridden and hit 4 out, rallied from next, chased leading pair 2 out, stayed on strongly flat, gaining at finish, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind The Ring (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) h.
Gritti Palace (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, jumped right throughout, pushed along from 6th, weakened 9th, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Rate of Knots (10-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) gs in Dec.
Paddy's Tern 16-1 (11-4) Led, headed 3rd, weakened 13th, tailed off when mistake 3 out, 6th of 11, well behind National Petition (9-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Laudamus 9-2jt-fav (11-0) Always prominent, challenged approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, led last, soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 9, shd behind Rosie All Over (11-12) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Pontiff (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Chased leaders early, struggling and behind from 4th, 11th of 14, well behind Rathcor (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Chamacco (FR) 50-1 (10-2) Always behind, no chance when hampered 2 out, 11th of 13, well behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Portrait Royale (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Chased leader to 15th, soon lost place, 4th of 8, 36l behind Its A Dream (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Hi Blue 33-1 (9-7) Always rear of main group, struggling 10th, tailed off, 4th of 9, 34l behind Lutin Collonges (10-6) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
