led after 2nd, clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly
held up towards rear, blundered 6th, headway before 4 out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway 7 out, went 2nd before 4 out until weakened 2 out
held up in touch, pushed along before 4 out, weakened from 2 out
close up, weakened from 5 out, tailed off
led, headed after 2nd, tracked winner, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, headway before 5 out, went 3rd before 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd near finish
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along 7th, soon lost place, weakened from 6 out
towards rear, weakened before 4 out
Malibu Sun made a winning reappearance over hurdles and has won three of his last four over fences but the drop in distance and soft ground may count against him here, as might a hike in the ratings. Ulis De Vassy, Temple Lord and George Nympton continue to disappoint, but Clan William was still just about in front when falling at the last at Newcastle and he could figure here with a clear round. He is preferred to fellow front-runner Topthorn while Lemon's Gent and Nozic may need this. PEARLS LEGEND didn't jump very well at Uttoxeter on his reappearance but is one of the few guaranteed to enjoy conditions here and he did show up well in better company on occasions last season. John Spearing's charge gets a tentative vote.
Malibu Sun 7-1 (10-13) Made all, clear after 3 out, all out, won at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Nov beating Cove (10-6) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Pearls Legend 8-1 (11-3) Chased leader, hit 4th, pushed along before 4 out, mistake and lost 2nd 3 out, no chance with leading duo, lost 3rd final strides, 4th of 8, 23l behind Pure Science (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov.
Ulis De Vassy (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, hit 10th, mistake next, soon well beaten, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Listen Boy (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Oct.
Lemon's Gent 9-2 (11-4) Chased leader, led 6 out, headed before last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 7, 2l behind River Purple (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jul.
Lawsons Thorns (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leading trio, 3rd at 4th, outpaced 7th, no chance with leading duo, lost poor 3rd at the last, last of 4, 30l behind Ptit Zig (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov chs 4-5yo (3) sft in Nov.
Temple Lord (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 6th until before 4 out, lost 2nd after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 5, 32l behind Tolkeins Tango (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Nozic (FR) 25-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake next, well beaten 10th, 8th of 9, 49l behind Malibu Sun (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Clan William (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Led, ridden before 3 out, pressed and joined when fell last, in a race won by Trust Thomas (10-9) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
George Nympton (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up in last trio in touch, tracked leaders 10th, outpaced next, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, tailed off next, 6th of 7, well behind Dont Do Mondays (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Topthorn 6-1 (11-1) Chased leader until after 2nd, chased leading pair, not fluent 4th, mistake 7th (water), 2nd again before 2 out until 2 out, chased leading pair, went 2nd again close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Doctor Ric (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
