always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
led 2nd, headed 9th, led again 12th, clear 3 out, easy
led 1st, headed 2nd, lost place 7th, behind when pulled up before 14th
in rear, some headway 11th, jumped right and weakened 14th, blundered next, very tired 16th, pulled up 17th
always prominent, hit 14th, chased winner from 16th, weakened after 3 out
held up and keen, headway 11th, mistake 13th, ridden 16th, weakening when pecked 17th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, lost place 9th, mistake 10th, pulled up before 12th
tracked leader, led 9th, headed 12th, weakened 5 out
mid-division, headway 11th, ridden and outpaced 16th, plugged on for 3rd from 4 out
hampered and unseated rider 2nd
mid-division, hit 4th, headway approaching 12th, blundered next, weakened 5 out and soon pulled up
Nonrunner
Bob Bob Bobbin has the class to beat this lot over fences, and is the pick ahead of Woodlands Genpower, Super Lord and Treasulier. Colin Tizzard's gelding has always been highly rated, and he was good enough to finish fourth in the Spa Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last March. It has to be said that he has not impressed greatly in three outings over fences to date, but he now has that vital bit of experience, and will also be suited by today's marathon test. If the ground was any softer then Woodlands Genpower would be a major threat. He went very close at Warwick in December, but did not seem to have his unlimited stamina made the most use of on a return trip there last month when sent off favourite. If Mark Bradburne gets him going, the Pritchard stable star can reach the frame at least. Jim Old has wasted no time in putting Irish point-to-point winner Super Lord over fences, and he too will have gleaned plenty from his Warwick introduction, so is another to note along with Treasulier who has yet to win under rules, but who was runner-up in a Wincanton handicap 16 days ago. They all have some sort of a chance, but Bob Bob Bobbin has the potential to leave his past form behind.
Bob Bob Bobbin 33-1 (11-7) Prominent until ridden 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 25l behind My Way de Solzen (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Dramatic Quest 25-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden after 10th, weakening when blundered 4 out, 6th of 10, well behind Alderburn (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Dec.
Jonanaud 50-1 (10-7) Always behind fell at the 7th in race won by Mort De Rire (10-7) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gd, 11 ran.
Squires Lane (IRE) 200-1 (11-6) Mid-division, mistake 8th, weakened 13th, 5th of 14, well behind Lough Derg (11-6) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (D) gs in Dec.
Super Lord (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed 4 out, ridden after next, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Basilea Star (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f beg chs (E) sft in Dec.
Treasulier (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) In touch, led after 15th, blundered 17th, headed 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Boundary House (10-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs (4) sft.
Woodlands Genpower (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Prominent, not fluent 12th, ridden 14th, weakened next, 4th of 7, 23l behind The Duckpond (11-0) at Warwick 3m nov chs (D) sft in Dec.
Master Billyboy (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) In touch, weakened approaching 11th, 11th of 15, 45l behind Glacial Delight (11-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
