towards rear, pushed along in 7th before 3 out, kept on into modest 4th soon after last
chased leaders, slight lead before 4th until next, chased leaders, pushed along after 6th, weakened before next, pulled up approaching 2 out
chased leaders on inside, slight lead 5th until ridden before next, weakened soon after 6th
chased leaders on outside, pushed along after 6th, weakened before next
chased leaders, led after 6th, clear before 3 out until went left 2 out, went left again last, edged left flat, driven out
held up towards rear, steady headway into mid-divisioin approaching 4th, driven chasing leaders before 3 out, soon 2nd, closing when went left and hit last, kept on well flat, always just held
raced wide in mid-division, weakened before 6th, eased before 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, went modest 3rd approaching 2 out, no chance with leading duo
held up in mid-division, headway 5th, 2nd on long run to 3 out until before 3 out, chased leading pair, no impression when lost 3rd 2 out, no extra in 4th approaching the last, weakened into 5th soon after last
behind, plugged on into modest 6th after 2 out, no impression
towards rear, never involved
slight lead until headed and weakened rapidly before 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
behind most of way
chased leaders, weakened after 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along before 5th, weakened next
towards rear, headway approaching 6th, tracking leaders going well on long run to 3 out, soon pushed along and weakened 3 out
towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
behind most of way
Shardarpour scored over track and trip in October and is not out of this while Ascendant can be given a chance on his recent second at Lingfield. Last Shadow won in heavy ground on his recent reappearance at Uttoxeter and should figure despite a 5lb rise while Exmoor Mist won over these hurdles last month and can also get involved. Lamblord ended 2013 with a course win but has not raced since so a speculative vote goes to November's course and distance winner THUNDERING HOME, who ran well again in better company here last time.
Ascendant 11-4fav (11-5) Took keen hold tracking leader, led 2 out, hard ridden when headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Rocky Elsom (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Shadarpour (IRE) 7-2fav (10-11) Held up in touch, pushed along before 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 10, 14l behind Secrete Stream (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Somerset Lias (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up in last pair, good headway on inside approaching 8th, chased leaders next, pushed along before 3 out, weakening when bumped 2 out, 7th of 9, 15l behind American Life (10-5) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov.
Mister Snowball (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, 4th of 6, 33l behind Letemgo (11-8) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Assam Black (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, impeded when trying to challenge before last, 3rd and edged left flat, stayed on same pace, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Earthmoves (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Thundering Home 8-1 (10-0) Held up tracking leaders, badly hampered 3rd, rallied approaching 3 out, 3rd soon after 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Shammick Boy (10-13) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Tribulation 10-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, mistake and reminders after 5th, under pressure when mistake 5 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Un Anjou (11-7) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Hindon Road (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up in rear but in touch, headway 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 40l behind Dunlough Bay (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Last Shadow 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, left 2nd at 5th, pushed along to challenge 2 out, led last, driven clear flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov beating Mubrook (10-6) by 6l, 6 ran.
Bedouin Bay 40-1 (11-3) Mid-division, pushed along 4th, blundered next, behind from 6th, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Un Bleu A L'aam (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Lamblord (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, every chance after 3 out, led last, held on well, all out, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov '13 beating Mezzanisi (11-7) by 1l, 14 ran.
Lifetime (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) In rear, headway 3 out, kept on one pace from next, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Catcher Star (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec '13.
Strong Wind (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, led until 4 out, chased winner until approaching next, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 14, 13l behind Tarvini (10-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Sep.
Kahdian (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Always behind, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 12th of 17, well behind Sizing Solution (11-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Jul.
Free Of Charge (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 3 out, outpaced next, weakened last, 6th of 9, 18l behind Daveron (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Exmoor Mist 3-1fav (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway before omitted 5th, led when not fluent 3 out, headed next, challenged last, led again flat, stayed on well, clear towards finish, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec beating Boss In Boots (11-11) by 5l, 11 ran.
Border Station (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 7th, weakened before next, last of 9, well behind Marju's Quest (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sep.
Tea Time Fred 200-1 (10-7) Mid-division, hampered 1st, well beaten from 4th, 8th of 16, 42l behind Jollyallan (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
