close up, outpaced from 5 out, never dangerous after
in rear, headway before 8 out, went 2nd from 5 out, led on bit before last, shaken up to go clear run-in
in rear and pushed along, headway 8 out, led 4 out, soon pressed, headed before last, kept on and no chance with winner
chased leaders, led 8 out, headed 4 out, a close 3rd and looking one pace when fell 3 out
in touch, outpaced from 6 out, left 3rd 3 out, no impression of front pair
led, headed 8 out, weakened before 4 out
in touch, weakened from 6 out
Royal Palladium bids for a four-timer upped another 12lb since completing his hat-trick at Market Rasen. Will Biddick will give him every assistance from the saddle but he's taking on better opposition now. Forgotten Gold usually makes at least one serious error in his races and Susquehanna River won't be hanging about here so the emphasis will be on jumping. Firm Order won a similar contest under today's pilot at Sandown and is only 3lb higher while Firebird Flyer and Rio Milan enter calculations but ROLL THE DICE probably deserves a change of luck having just been touched off in his last two starts. He goes particularly well here so might be the one to beat.
Forgotten Gold (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, joined leader 11th, ridden before 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 5, 12l behind Grandads Horse (11-7) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, slow 4th, mistake next, slow 7th, mistake 9th, headway to chase leader 4 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 11l behind Broadway Buffalo (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Firm Order (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th until 18th, chased leading pair, went 2nd again before 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, driven clear, won at Sandown 3m amat hcap chs (3) sft in Dec beating Handy Andy (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Royal Palladium (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Made all, clear 3 out, comfortable, won at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec beating Desert Joe (11-6) by 8l, 6 ran.
Roll The Dice (IRE) 3-1fav (10-3) Jumped left, led 2nd, hit 10th, headed 2 out, chased winner, held last, rallied as winner hung left run-in, just held, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Gorsky Island (11-6) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Rio Milan (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, challenged 5 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 11l behind It's A Steal (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Susquehanna River (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Pressed leader, led 8th, clear after 11th (water), reduced lead 15th, headed 3 out, soon ridden chasing leading pair, tried to rally between last two, edged left and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Woodford County (11-5) at Newbury 3m 2f am hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
