mid-division, ridden and headway before 3 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened next
always behind
mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up in touch, lost place 4 out
behind, headway 8th, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed soon after last, stayed on under pressure
led, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened after next
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on under pressure nearest finish
mid-division when blundered 2nd, soon pulled up
mid-division, ridden 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, never on terms
held up mid-division, headway 11th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to lead soon after last, all out
held up mid-division, mistake 10th, soon outpaced, under pressure approaching last, kept on, never able to challenge
in rear when fell 2nd
always behind, tailed off
tracked leader, ridden to challenge approaching 3 out, soon every chance, weakened before last
This may not be as competitive a contest as the numbers suggest and it is hard to get away from Alan King's Highland Chief, who has been in good form this season, and he is preferred to Alphabetical and Bronson F'sure. The last mentioned has shown good form himself this term, winning three from three but has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper and he may now be a shade high in the weights. Paul Webber's Appleaday has not progressed as much as anticipated, while Mokum ran better here last time but is hard to recommend on the balance of recent form. Ice Bucket could probably do with some help from the handicapper and of more interest may be Alphabetical, who showed that he was none the worse for his Aintree tumble at Cheltenham last time and should improve for that run. Highland Chief is in fine form at present though and he is preferred.
Black de Bessy (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Held up, effort 4 out, under pressure and weakened after next, 7th of 11, 39l behind Cossack Dancer (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Alfie's Sun 15-2 (11-12) Led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 7, well behind Surfboard (11-6) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Rookery Lad 16-1 (11-5) In touch, weakening when blundered 8th, 7th of 9, well behind Brave Villa (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Alphabetical (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Which Pocket (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Elgar 8-1 (11-6) Prominent, weakened and pulled up in race won by Brave Villa (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft, 9 ran.
Appleaday (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Jumped right, led, hard pressed when jumped badly right 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Pseudonym (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (3) gf.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) Soon chasing leaders, reminders 3rd, driven before 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 18, 14l behind The Tother One (10-8) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Bronson F'sure 8-11fav (10-13) Made all, ridden after 3 out, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (4) gf in Apr beating Blaze Ahead (11-4) by 5l, 5 ran.
Lindsay (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders and keen, led 11th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 10, 7l behind Magot De Grugy (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up, ridden and no chance from 4 out, 6th of 9, 28l behind Alfadora (9-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Highland Chief (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 4 out, headed next, weakened flat, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Master d'Or (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Basic Fact (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 9th, not fluent 4 out, soon beaten, 4th of 10, 11l behind Vinmix De Bessy (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Mokum (FR) 11-2 (10-10) Mid-division, improved 5th, chased leader, ridden to lead before 3 out, soon clear, headed last, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Surfboard (11-6) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Magical Quest 11-1 (11-5) Held up, lost place 6th, ridden and weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Marked Man (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Dere Lyn 8-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden 14th, some progress, 8th of 12, 23l behind Professor Hegarty (11-2) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Romany Dream 50-1 (10-2) Held up, headway 5th, lost place 13th, no chance after, 9th of 13, 26l behind Which Pocket (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
