led, mistake 9th, soon headed, weakened before 2 out
prominent, headway to join leader 10th, every chance 2 out, weakened before last, eased flat
prominent, led 10th, stayed on strongly, clear before last and blundered, ridden out flat
pulled hard towards rear, ridden and weakened after 9th, soon well behind
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, lost place, stayed on from 2 out, not a danger
held up rear, ridden after 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off
tracked leader to 8th, weakened after 10th, tailed off
held up behind, fell 8th
This is a very poor handicap chase and Lorient Express, who hit form with a vengeance last time, is chosen to follow up here at the expense of Isam Top and Barnards Green. Following two very unlucky outings, the Venetia Williams trained five-year-old cruised to victory over Game On at Leicester last time. He was never fully extended in that contest and can again take advantage of his low rating. Isam Top is no world beater but has displayed enough this season to suggest he could land a weak contest. Barnards Green hasn't shown much in recent runs but did mange to win a little race Taunton in October, if returning to that sort of form he should be a major player. The rest of the field are a very poor lot and so it does look an easy task for Lorient Hill who is a very confident choice.
