tendency to hang right, led and driven into some fences, joined 13th, not fluent and headed 15th, weakened after next
close 4th, challenged 14th, hit next, led after 3 out headed well before next, dropped to 3rd soon after, soon no chance with leading duo
chased leading pair, went 2nd 10th, challenged 13th, led 15th, headed after next, led again well before 2 out until approaching 2 out, no chance with winner soon after, clear 2nd best
chased leader until 10th, strugglin next, weakened 15th, poor 5th when blundered 2 out, tailed off
held up in touch, smooth headway to track leaders 14th, 3rd going well 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
tended to jump left, in rear, struggling 14th, plugged on, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Oponce produced an improved effort to finish second to Flying Squad at Fakenham but has been raised 5lb for his troubles and preference is for UKRAINIAN STAR. Martin Keighley's eight-year-old won over fences at Warwick in November and also scored over hurdles at Hereford last month. Clearly in good form, he is only 4lb higher here and should post a follow up as Quartz Du Montceau usually reserves his best for Plumpton and has only one win to his name in 20 career starts. Mr Chippy made no impression in three runs over hurdles but should do better over fences and is probably best of the rest, though he's been off the track for a while and doesn't look particularly well handicapped.
Absolute Shambles 20-1 (11-0) Led until 2nd, close up until lost place 5th, last and struggling 9th, tailed off and pulled up after 11th, in a race won by Abbey Dore (10-5) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Oponce (FR) 6-1 (10-1) Tracked leader, slow 2nd, soon in touch, headway to track leaders 9th, led 12th, headed after 2nd last, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Flying Squad (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f Am hcp ch 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders on inside, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from next, 5th of 9, 33l behind Stop The Show (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Ukrainian Star (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders on outside, led 3rd until after 5th, led 8th, stayed on gamely, in command flat, won at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan beating Saulty Max (11-8) by 12l, 17 ran.
Ilewin Tom 33-1 (10-0) Always in rear, tailed off after 4th, 15th of 17, well behind Mycenean Prince (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Sep.
Commanche Dawn 5-1 (10-0) Chased leaders on inside, blundered and lost place 2nd, blundered 8th, behind when mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by Stop The Show (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Mr Chippy (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Pure Faith (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Just Josie 150-1 (10-9) Chased leaders to 6th, soon behind, 8th of 17, well behind Chablais (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
