prominent early, tailed off and struggling in rear 9th, went distant 4th before 4 out, tailed off
in touch, went 3rd at 9th until blundred and unseated rider 11th
chased leaders, left 3rd at 11th, no chance with leading pair from next, lost distant 3rd before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders in 4th, mistake 8th, hit 10th, went distant 3rd approaching 4 out
close up, chased winner from 8th, challenging from 11th, every chance when blundered 3 out, driven and no real impression from next
made virtually all, kept narrow advantage when pressed from 11th, left with advantage 3 out, tired jumping last, rider dropped whip flat, pushed along, kept on well
in rear, struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up before next
The handicapper may not, yet, have got the better of AYEMDEE who is preferred to Macmar, who is attempting to follow up his 2008 success, and River Indus. A rise of a stone for his win at Uttoxeter from an exposed performer whose second was his only completion in four starts looks a little harsh on the face of things but he has won very comfortably on his last two starts after a hardfought win at Fontwell and may prove to be up to the task. The yard's form is a minor concern as it is for Macmar who races from the same mark as when successful two years ago but one that is 9lbs higher than for his most recent success in the spring. River Indus comes into this race on the back of a couple of commendable placed runs behind progressive performers but therein lies the problem as he's vulnerable to that type of horse and bumps into another one here. Newbay Bob has done enough the last twice to suggest that he should be in contention for a share of the spoils but Ayemdee can grab the lion's share.
Macmar (FR) 18-1 (10-11) Led until approaching 2nd, pressed leader, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind My Friend Sandy (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
Ayemdee (IRE) 11-4fav (10-9) Held up towards rear, led 3 out, clear approaching last, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec beating Nelson (10-12) by 9l, 8 ran.
Ibberton 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders when fell 2nd, in a race won by Bubble Boy (11-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
River Indus 9-1 (9-12) Led to before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 8l behind Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec.
Son Histoire (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, pecked badly 5th, steadily lost place, ridden in rear at 9th, pulled 6th when blundered 2 out and pulled up before last, in a race won by Iconoclast (11-11) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Newbay Bob 7-1 (10-8) Led, not fluent 6th, headed 4 out, chased winner after, chance 3 out, no extra next, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Iconoclast (11-11) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Whatcanisay 50-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon struggling, 13th of 18, 34l behind Captain Smoothy (10-3) at Exeter 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
