tracked leaders, in 3rd when fell 5th
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on flat
held up, brought down 5th
held up, headway 7th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out
held up in touch, chasing leaders when mistake 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
behind from 6th, tailed off
held up in touch, brought down 5th
in touch, reminders after 4th, headway approaching 4 out, weakened soon after
prominent, blundered 2nd, weakened after 4 out, tailed off from next
In an interesting handicap, the vote goes to Tanikos ahead of Almaydan and Barton Nic. Town Crier is classy but he is now eight pounds higher than for his Newbury win and conceding weight in this going will not be easy, while much as he is three pounds better off for the length-and-a-half that Tanikos beat him at Warwick on January 14th - and he ran well behind Tysou at Sandown last time - Kalca Mome might not be able to turn the form around. Tanikos, who came back to form there on the rain-softened going that he loves, just might be getting it together at a good time. Almaydan is also respected, even though he is four pounds worse off for two-and-a-half lengths based on his first-time blinkered win from Bleu Superbe at Southwell last time. Roman Ark remains an interesting novice, and he could yet prove well treated, while Barton Nic is ten pounds worse off for the ten lengths that he beat Nowator over course and distance last time, but he can still go well as he comes here in form, loves this track, and is still not badly treated on the best of his hurdling form. Overall, though, sifting through it all, we will stick with Tanikos.
Town Crier (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 9th of 10, 21l behind Tysou (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf.
Almaydan 7-1 (11-4) Led, mistake and headed 5th, led again approaching 3 out, driven out, won at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan beating Bleu Superbe (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Bleu Superbe (FR) 10-3fav (11-5) With leader, led 5th, blundered 9th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, 1 length down when hit last, one pace, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Almaydan (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan.
Roman Ark 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, ridden and one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Green Tango (11-7) at Southwell 2m nov chs (2) gs in Jan.
Kalca Mome (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Towards rear, progress after 3 out, stayed on after last to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Tysou (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf.
Tanikos (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division, outpaced after 8th, hit 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan beating Kalca Mome (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Barton Nic 7-1 (10-0) Held up behind, headway 8th, led last, ridden clear flat, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan beating Nowator (10-13) by 10l, 11 ran.
Nowator (POL) 13-2 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Almaydan (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Sir Storm (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, reminders after 7th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 11, 19l behind Barton Nic (10-0) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Led, blundered and hit 7th, weakened 11th and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Master Sebastian (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
