tracked leader, led 8th, headed before next, tracked leader, ridden and hit 2 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden 3 out, headway next, went 3rd before last, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, led before 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon outpaced by winner
raced wide held up in rear, headway 7th, led 2 out, soon clear, awkward last, ridden out
held up, dropped to rear 7th, soon pushed along, weakened 3 out, tailed off
led, blundered and headed 8th, weakened next
Last year's winner Maller Tree takes part again off a 19lb lower mark but that fall in the ratings reflects his abject recent form. Aficiondo makes more appeal bidding to follow up a recent success at Fontwell and Isaac Bell hasn't done much wrong. He's still awaiting a first victory over timber but wasn't beaten far at Leicester last time. Minstrels Gallery was second here in October and also tackles handicap company for the first time but Virtuose Du Chenet may need more time. ROJA DOVE can win for the first since arriving from Ireland as she looks to be on a fair mark at present judged on her latest third at Ludlow.
Isaac Bell (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, every chance 3 out, led before 2 out, headed last, lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Taj Badalandabad (11-5) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Roja Dove (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, headway on inside chasing leaders before3 out, went 3rd between last two, one pace and no impression flat, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Pass The Time (11-12) at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Aficionado 9-4fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, led last, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec beating Mr Fickle (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Minstrels Gallery (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, close up when hit 2 out, no impression on winner when mistake last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind El Namoose (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Virtuose Du Chenet (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Tracked leader, led 9th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened and tailed off, last of 9, well behind Little Boy Boru (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov.
Maller Tree 5-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, no impression, weakened from next, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 7, 35l behind Milansbar (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
