held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, headway before 3 out, chased winner last, kept on and no impression
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner before 3 out until last, kept on
tracked winner, led 2nd, headed 7th, chased winner until before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
led and keen, headed 2nd, led again 7th, clear before 2 out, kept on well
held up mid-division, soon in rear, weakened from 5 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, one pace from 2 out
soon tracked leaders, not fluent 6 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
GORES ISLAND won over hurdles here a year ago. He's been quite highly tried over fences so far this season and this looks a decent chance for him to start paying his way over the larger obstacles. Montoya's Son is back on a winning mark but was well beaten when third at Catterick on New Year's Day while Master Milan and Vosges have become expensive to follow. Back Bob Back stopped quickly after making the running at Newbury last time and, along with Zazamix, is possibly still a few pounds too high while Another Trump needs everything to go his way and has never won off a mark this high. Grey Missile has a bit of scope, however, and is worth a check in the betting.
Master Milan (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, led 3rd until 5th, lost 2nd next, chased leading pair, ridden and weakened on long run to 3 out, 5th of 8, 18l behind Cranky Corner (11-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Montoya's Son (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out, 3rd of 6, 43l behind Brave Spartacus (10-13) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy.
Gores Island (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up behind, smooth headway on outside after 12th, in touch when mistake 4 out, soon one pace, weakened 2 out, 11th of 15, 44l behind Rolling Aces (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Vosges (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led before 9th, headed before 4 out, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened before last, lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 10, 19l behind Bhaltair (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-120) (4yo+) (4) gs in Dec.
Back Bob Back (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Led, jumped left 4 out, headed before next, weakened last, 10th of 13, 25l behind Wings Of Smoke (11-9) at Newbury 2m 2f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gs in Nov.
Another Trump (NZ) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden and every chance 3 out, looked likely to be pulled up next but jump it, soon heavily eased, 5th of 6, 50l behind Delgany Gunner (10-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Grey Missile 9-1 (11-0) Hampered first, in touch in rear, ridden and outpaced when left 4th 3 out, blundered next, plugged on, 4th of 7, 29l behind Majala (11-0) at Taunton 2m beg chs (3) sft in Nov.
Zazamix (FR) 11-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, weakened before 3 out, slipped and fell before 2 out, in a race won by Tahiti Pearl (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
