tracked leader, ridden before 4 out, in 2nd when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 14th to chase leaders, went 3rd at 18th, left 2nd 3 out, weakened after 2 out, jumped badly right last
held up towards rear, plugged on from 3 out, never dangerous
behind, pushed along after 15th, tailed off next and pulled up
tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, blundered 15th, pushed along 17th, soon lost place, pulled up
tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along before 18th, outpaced from 19th, left 4th 3 out, jumped right 2 out, one pace
led, ridden and headed before last, kept on and no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along 20th, went 4th before 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, kept on well, driven out
mid-division, unseated rider 2nd
in rear, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
Scotswell arrives out of form but finished runner-up in last year's renewal off a higher mark. Neither Lackamon nor Sun Cloud got to grips with the winner in the Durham National at Sedgefield last month despite finishing second and fourth respectively. Union Jack D'Ycy is up 7lb for landing the odds in a lesser grade contest at Towcester and Virtuel D'Oudon is preferred having made a promising start over fences at Exeter last month. But course specialist ISLA PEARL FISHER makes most appeal having won for the third time over these fences on his latest start and raised only 3lb for this.
Lackamon 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 17l behind According To Trev (10-11) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Sun Cloud (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Towards rear, headway before 5 out, went 4th from 2 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 36l behind Royale Knight (11-1) at Sedgefield 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Oct.
Isla Pearl Fisher 7-1 (10-13) Held up, tracked leader 8th, led 11th, headed 13th, led again 3 out, ridden out, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Nov beating Mcmurrough (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Action Master 16-1 (11-11) Chased leader, 5th halfway, closer 12th, mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by Vasco Du Mee (11-4) at Down Royal 3m hcp chs in Nov, 7 ran.
Virtuel D'oudon (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Hung left most of way, chased leading pair, 2nd from 5th, ridden before 4 out, blundered next, driven and one pace before next, no chance with winner, kept on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Chase The Spud (10-9) at Exeter 3m nov hcap ch (3) sft in Nov.
Union Jack D'ycy (FR) 5-6fav (11-11) Trcked leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov beating Ringa Bay (11-4) by 9l, 4 ran.
Scotswell 18-1 (11-5) Prominent 1st, tracked leaders, chased leader 8th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 7, 47l behind Samstown (11-7) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Neptune Equester 7-2 (10-9) Chased leader until 8th, tracked leaders, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 4th of 7, 13l behind Samstown (11-7) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Sharney Sike 9-5fav (11-9) Led, mistake and headed 14th, not fluent 5 out, soon regained lead, headed before 3 out, weakened from next, 3rd of 4, 29l behind Allanard (11-11) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Bertie Milan (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, reminder after 1st, jumped slow 2nd, in rear next, pushed along and struggling after 9th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Allanard (11-11) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 4 ran.
