led 2nd until 8th, reminders 11th, soon lost place, tailed off
not fluent in touch,hit 5th, jumped right next, headway to chase leading pair, unchallenging for 2nd when blundered 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
led until 2nd, chased leader, led 8th, hit 4 out, headed 3 out, soon no chance with winner
chased leaders in 4th, tracked leading pair 9th, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, soon forged clear, pushed out flat
held up, mistake 7th, not much room, mistake and baulked and nearly unseated rider 11th, stayed on after 4 out, never any danger
in touch until dropped to rear 8th, no chance after, tailed off when jumped left last 3
Tom George's Tartak has shown a consistent level of form and he has to be considered following another decent effort when chasing home Will Be Done at Haydock last month but he may have to settle for minor honours again with preference for LIGHTNING STRIKE, who gets the vote with Moon Over Miami rated the pick of the rest. The selection has like a lot of runners form the yard of Venetia Williams been in good form of late and comes here on the back of convincing wins at Wincanton and Doncaster this season. Oceanos des Obeaux is capable but has disappointed of late so he may be best watched, while Osako D'airy has struggled to trouble the judge and is another that could do with some help from the handicapper. Charlie Mann's Moon Over Miami has shown improved in his last couple of starts and has to be considered but preference is for the in-form Lightning Strike, who is taken to win again.
Keepthedreamalive 25-1 (11-7) Chased leader, lost place and outpaced 5th, ridden after 7th, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Private Be (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f Grad Ch (2) sft in Dec.
Lightning Strike (GER) 8-11fav (11-4) Tracked leader, hit 8th, led 4 out, drew clear from next, eased down flat, easily, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Jan beating Psychomodo (11-4) by a distance, 4 ran.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 15-2 (10-10) Held up, hit 8th, headway after 4 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, no extra from last, 4th of 13, 13l behind The Sawyer (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Oceanos des Obeaux (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Led, headed 2nd, hit 5 out, weakened, 6th of 17, 26l behind Miss Mitch (10-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Tartak (FR) 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, keen, went 2nd after 4 out, every chance next, weakened towards finish, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Will Be Done (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Osako D'airy (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, headway to 3rd 6 out, 2nd and mistake 4 out, improved to lead 3 out, ridden clear entering straight, reduced advantage last, headed run-in and no, 6th of 28, 18l behind Wheresben (10-7) at Leopardstown 3m hcp.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Took keen hold early, held up, headway to chase winner 7th, blundered next, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened soon after, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Rathmulen (10-12) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
