held up, blundered 10th, effort to chase leaders after 4 out, weakened 3 out
tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 12th, weakened 3 out
led, ridden when joined 11th, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out
Nonrunner
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the main protagonists look to be Sporazene, Tikram and Big Rob and the narrow nomination is given to Sporazene. The selection ran as if in need of the run when only sixth behind Backboard in a hurdle race last time out, that horse has since franked the form and with the switch back to fences also looking to be in his favour he looks the one to be on despite top weight. Tikram rates the main danger as he goes well over course and distance and is well weighted on his best form. However he showed little spark last time out so can not be put forward with much confidence. Big Rob will make a bold bid to make all the running and won well last time when beating Olympian but he looks sure to be taken on for the lead and he looks opposable on that basis. Haggle Twins continues to be let down by his jumping while See You Sometime looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to Sporazene who looks to have plenty going for him today.
Sporazene (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Held up, smooth headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 14, 12l behind Backbord (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd.
See You Sometime 100-1 (11-7) Led until 2nd, remained in touch, mistake 9th, soon under pressure and weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs Grd 1 (1) gd.
Tikram 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place 10th, soon beaten, 5th of 8, 23l behind Regal Heights (11-12) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Ryders Storm (USA) 40-1 (11-6) Never going well in rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Yardbird (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
The Hardy Boy 11-8fav (11-9) Prominent until ridden and weakened after 4 out, 4th of 5, 28l behind Running Hot (9-13) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Big Rob (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Always prominent, led 7th, narrowly headed when edged left and bumped 2 out, edged left between last 2, regained lead flat, stayed on gamely, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec beating Olympian (11-2) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Haggle Twins (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) Led, headed 7th, lost place 5 out, behind when unseated rider 2 out in race won by Nirvana Swing (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Craven (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Held up in touch, headway 11th, ridden and joined leader 14th, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind The Dark Lord (11-8) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
