tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 11th, pulled up 3 out
tracked leaders, bumped 10th, every chance when ridden last, hampered and not recover
mid-division, closer order 6th, bumped 10th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, every chance when left in lead last, kept on
in rear and not jump well, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
always in rear, pulled up before 3 out,
in rear, ridden and staying on from 4 out, narrow 3rd when slipped and unseated rider last
in touch, slow jump 3rd, hit 10th, chase leaders 3 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, reminders and headway 6th, ridden and weakened after 4 out
mid-division and not fluent 1st, behind from 10th, pulled up before 2 out
led and soon clear, hit 10th, mistake 2 out, challenged when jumped left and fell last
Golden Duck is very much on the upgrade and should prove too good for Lord Ryeford, Comber and Theocritus. Having shown promise in bumpers two years ago, Golden Duck failed to shine when put over hurdles, and in fact can be considered disappointing. However, it has been a different story since the Nigel Twiston-Davies inmate has gone chasing, with successes coming on each of his last two outings, at Stratford and Warwick. He has not won by far on either occasion, but this slightly longer trip will be in his favour, and with the experience to call on, he should be the one to beat. Lord Ryeford would appear to be the main danger based on a solid enough chasing debut at Wetherby where he was just touched off by Liberty Ben. That was his first outing since April, so he can only improve. Comber is only a four-year-old so can make use of the age allowance, but he lacks experience compared to some of the others, while Theocritus would have surely been placed here last time had he not fallen at the last, and he can be considered for the frame. Golden Duck has the form in the bag though and is the one to beat.
Abraham Smith 12-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden 15th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ferimon (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 17 ran.
Golden Duck (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 7th, led 9th, driven out, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov beating Copper Bay (10-8) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up, progress 11th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 15, well behind Notanotherdonkey (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Just Superb 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, mistake 5th, soon led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, faded, 7th of 20, 17l behind Kickahead (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Lesdream 9-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, chased winner 8th, mistake 9th, ridden after 4 out, hit next, blundered 2 out, eased flat, 2nd of 8, 24l behind Cousin Nicky (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) hvy in Mar.
Spike Jones (NZ) 20-1 (11-12) Always behind, struggling 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Fight The Feeling (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs, 11 ran.
Theocritus (GER) 13-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 9th, weakening and tired 3 out, poor 2nd when fell in race won by Nenuphar Collonges (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Fleurette 15-2 (11-12) In rear, reminders after 5th, ridden 8th, outpaced from 3 out, 4th of 7, 13l behind Elgar (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Comber (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, raced wide approaching 7th, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 22l behind Mount Sandel (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Mr Maxim 6-1 (11-4) Raced wide, held up, headway to join leader after 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 8, 16l behind Hereditary (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Lord Ryeford (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Led, ridden and hit 3 out, under pressure from next, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Liberty Ben (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Stantons Church 66-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Fight The Feeling (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs, 11 ran.
