tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, outpaced and stayed on to take 2nd again flat
in touch, headway 8th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, one pace
in touch, ridden 9th, effort 10th, weakened next
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
always in the rear, tailed off when 4 out
in touch and going well, led 3 out, shaken up approaching last
in rear, tailed off from 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 9th
towards rear, lost touch 4 out
always in rear, lost touch 6th, tailed off when mistake and pulled up soon after 3 out
always in the rear
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on, weakened flat
mid-division, ridden 8th, weakened next
led, headed and weakened 3 out
in rear, mistake 7th, weakened 9th
Blue Splash can shrug off a penalty to beat the likes of Joacci, Natoumba and Garryvoe, with The Risky Viking also worth a mention at least. Blue Splash displayed plenty of stamina when making all at Aintree in October, and although failing to defy a 12lb rise when second to Chamacco at Chepstow next time, he finished a long way clear of the third horse. If Tom O'Brien can get him into a rhythm today, the six-year-old may prove hard to pass despite having to concede weight all round. Joacci needs a confidence-boosting round, having been pulled up a number of times over fences in the past, and if he can get his act together, David Pipe's charge may go close on this rare outing over timber. He is worth taking on though, along with Garryvoe who is very likely to need the run. Natoumba is one for the future as is ex-Irish pointer The Risky Viking who shaped with promise at Uttoxeter last month. Blue Splash has the best credentials on offer and is taken to lead from pillar-to-post.
Blue Splash (FR) 10-11fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Chamacco (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Dark Corner 9-2 (10-12) In touch, outpaced 5th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 16, 47l behind Gunner Jack (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Oct.
Elbow Lane (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 7th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 16, well behind Trigger The Light (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Garryvoe (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Held up, hit 7th, headway 12th, led 4 out, ridden out, won at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Nov '05 beating Heidi III (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Jacksons Pier (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Led, headed 6th, ridden and weakened 9th, 5th of 8, well behind Blackergreen (11-7) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Joaaci (IRE) 9-2co-fav (11-6) Towards rear, weakened after 16th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by My Will (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Justice Jones 100-1 (10-1) With leader until after 2nd, behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Hello It's Me (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gs, 16 ran.
Nacho des Uncheres (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led after 8th, headed approachihg 4 out, weakened, 9th of 16, well behind Christdalo (10-7) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Natoumba (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, struggling next, 4th of 16, well behind Trigger The Light (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Ravens Flight (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after 8th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Backbord (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Supreme Marque (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Hello It's Me (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gs, 16 ran.
The Risky Viking (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened last, 2nd of 10, 12l behind The Painkiller (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
We Got Him (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division and keen, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakening when hanging left from 2 out, 4th of 11, 15l behind Supreme Huntress (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Poppy Maroon 100-1 (10-10) Led until approaching 7th, soon weakened, 9th of 16, well behind La Dame Brune (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (3) gs.
Royal Niece (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Prominent, mistake 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 14, 32l behind Paynestown Lad (10-1) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.
