soon close up, reminders 10th, headway after 4 out, chased leaders next, went 2nd last, no chance with winner and lost 2nd run-in
held up in rear, stayed on under pressure after 4 out, went 2nd run-in but no chance with winner
in rear, well behind when driven and blundered 11th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 14th
chased leading pair, closed from 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, jumped left and headed next, weakened before last
held up in mid-division, steady headway from 8th, went 2nd 11th, challenging when not much room approaching 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on strongly
chased leader to 11th, weakened from next
mistake and behind from 3rd, tailed off when fell 14th
held up in rear division, ridden and struggling 14th, tailed off
prominent in chasing group, ridden and lost place 10th, rallied after 4 out, no impression from next
led at good pace, mistakes 3rd and next, hit 5th, blundered 13th, headed 3 out, soon no chance with winner, weakened approaching last
Nonrunner
Supposed handicap 'good thing' Lucifer Bleu should go close as he is 21lb 'well-in' however his lack of experience in big fields coupled with competition for a lead may just be his outdoing and we will instead plump for Simon, with Limerick boy, Celtic Son, and Billyvoddan just three for the shortlist. John Spearing's eight-year-old will need to continue his improvement as he runs off an 11lb higher mark than when spreadeagling the field in a listed contest at Southwell last month, however the soft ground looks sure to suit and he could still have more to offer. He raced too prominently when not getting home in the Welsh National and could benefit from the more patient tactics shown last time by jockey Andrew Thornton. Limerick Boy has been well-supported in recent weeks after his yuletide romp at Haydock and with his stable in tremendous form he certainly has solid place claims. However he is yet to fully prove his stamina for the trip on testing ground so is passed over for win purposes. Billyvoddan won at a canter last time out but to carry top-weight to victory here would be a tremendous achievement however he cannot be written off having been given a break since. He is one of two from Henry Daly's yard with claims; the other being Alderburn. He is a tricky customer but stayed on well to land a moderate contest over course and distance recently so has claims. Lady Of Scarvagh is very much in and out however she made all to win eased down over course and distance last month so must have place claims at least today, although an 11lb rise for beating a moderate field could prove a slight stumbling block. Celtic Son is a real monkey but on a going day he would be in the shakeup, and solid support for him during the week may be a clue to his chances. Puntal's second last time out means that he has claims, as does Lacdoudal who is gradually inching his way down the weights but may need some more respite still. Ultimately this renewal of the Racing Post Chase looks very open indeed, and we will tentatively return to John Spearing's Simon to land the spoils.
Lacdoudal (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Mostly tracked leader, mistakes 6th and 10th, lost 2nd 12th, ridden 4 out, 4th and weakening when blundered 2 out, 4th of 7, 27l behind Too Forward (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Jan.
Cornish Sett (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 18, 23l behind Billyvoddan (10-12) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
Celtic Son (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Never going well, reminders after 2nd, ridden and struggling 6th, tailed off, 14th of 18, well behind Reveillez (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (1) gd in Mar.
Limerick Boy (GER) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 4th, headed 5th, led again 6th, hit 8th, headed next, led again 10th, clear next, mistake last, eased towards finish, won at Haydock 2m 6f Grad Ch (2) hvy in Dec beating Royal Emperor (11-7) by 16l, 5 ran.
Simon 7-1 (11-2) Held up, went prominent 6th, led after 13th, clear when blundered badly 2 out, driven out, won at Southwell 3m lst hcp chs (1) sft in Jan beating Ardaghey (11-1) by 9l, 10 ran.
Puntal (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leader, led 4th to 15th, hampered approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, ran on from last, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Maletton (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Without A Doubt 10-1 (10-12) Trackerd leaders, weakened 9th and soon behind, 6th of 9, 27l behind Cerium (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Iron Man (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, struggling when hampered 15th, soon behind, 13th of 18, well behind Rambling Minster (10-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Iznogoud (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 7th, led before 12th, driven and headed before 3 out, stayed on same pace after, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Alderburn (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Lucifer Bleu (FR) 11-4fav (10-12) Made all, clear 11th, hit 3 out, well clear when mistake last, eased flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft beating Black Hills (11-5) by 11l, 8 ran.
Billyvoddan (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, badly hampered 3rd and lost place, steady headway from 12th, led 17th, drew well clear after 3 out, readily, won at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec beating Zabenz (10-13) by 12l, 18 ran.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway after 17th, ridden well before last, soon one pace, 9th of 18, 24l behind Rambling Minster (10-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Reveillez 5-1 (11-0) Held up, hit 1st and 2nd, headway and mistake 11th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 40l behind Exotic Dancer (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Alderburn 4-1jt-fav (11-6) Held up, headway to track leaders 4 out, led before 3 out, driven and pressed last, in command final 100 yards, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Yardbird (11-4) by 1l, 10 ran.
Lady of Scarvagh (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Prominent, went 2nd 6th, led 11th, made rest, driven clear after 3 out, won at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan beating Bengo (11-10) by 18l, 11 ran.
