in touch, headway 5 out, soon chasing leaders, effort on inner 2 out, weakened before last
led, hit 7th, jumped slowly when headed 4 out, soon led again, headed 2 out, no extra after last
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure after last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, soon outpaced, led 2 out, driven clear last, ran on well
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
held up in rear, slow 6th, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off
tracked leader, led 4 out, soon headed, rallied after 2 out, weakened flat
It looked a soft race that Arkaim won at Leicester eight days ago but you can't fault his record this season. Doynosaur and Able Deputy would have a chance on their best form but the jury is out on Tante Sissi and Kitegen may need this. Easily Pleased will strip fitter for a recent spin over hurdles at Wincanton but French import NOCHE DE REYES looks to be improving with experience over fences and is potentially better treated than his rivals.
Doynosaur 14-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Next Sensation (10-12) at Doncaster 2m (3) gs in Dec.
Arkaim 5-1 (11-9) Pressed leader, led after 2nd, in command from 4 out, well clear from 2 out, easily, won at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Morgan's Bay (11-12) by 27l, 5 ran.
Able Deputy 2-1 (11-2) Chased clear leader, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, last of 4, well behind Tempest River (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Kitegen (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along and one pace 2 out (normal 3 out), driven and no extra before last, 7th of 12, 14l behind Hidden Identity (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Oct.
Easily Pleased (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, well beaten after 3 out, went 4th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 6, 15l behind Keel Haul (11-1) at Wincanton 2m (3) hvy in Feb.
Tante Sissi (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway before 2 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 12, 16l behind Benefique Royale (10-0) at Sandown 2m 4f (3) gs in Dec.
Noche De Reyes (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in last, hit 2nd, headway 4 out, went 3rd before next, one pace and no impression, not fluent last, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Tornado In Milan (10-13) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy in Jan.
