held up, headway 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, driven to challenge approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, weakened last
held up, mistake 8th, soon outpaced, headway 2 out, stayed on but never able to challenge
held up mid-division, some headway 2 out, never on terms
held up, not fluent 2nd, behind before 4 out
held up mid-division, headway when hampered after 9th, every chance when not fluent last, stayed on strongly flat, just failed
pulled hard in rear, not jump well throughout, well behind when pulled up flat
held up, headway 4 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, held on well under pressure
led until approaching 4 out, soon ridden, every chance 2 out, no extra flat
prominent, driven to challenge 9th, bad mistake next, soon beaten
Nimby Run, Orsus and Jupon Vert are the ones for the shortlist here with Nimby Run set to take advantage of his low weight. Orsus was just touched off by Jupon Vert last time but has been given a break since and can reverse the form. Jupon Vert tends to win once a year and duly did so at Folkestone. Hopelessly outclassed by Well Chief at Newbury, Jupon Vert can give a good account but may find the advancing years mounting up. Nimby Run was a little fortunate to win a good contest at Kempton last time, but had earlier finished a good second at Huntingdon. He has only been raised four pounds for that success and Nimby Run can take advantage of the handicapper's generosity.
L'Oiseau (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, took closer order 11th, went left next, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 29l behind Fast Forward (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Seafield Bogie (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden and weakened 15th, 8th of 13, 21l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-6) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Polished 8-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden 4th, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 27l behind Templer (10-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Matcho Pierji (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders in 4th, hit 3rd, mistake and weakened 3 out, hit next, 7th of 14, 35l behind Hobbs Hill (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Jupon Vert (FR) 200-1 (11-0) Lost touch from 5th, 5th of 8, 42l behind Well Chief (11-0) at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft.
Baodai (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Led, soon clear, mistakes 2nd and 5th, headed 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened, 4th of 7, 29l behind Milan Deux Mille (9-13) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Mr Bigglesworth (NZ) 10-1 (10-9) Held up, weakened from 11th, 9th of 14, 32l behind Milan Deux Mille (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Spiritual Society (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) In rear, headway 8th, ridden and weakening when hit 3 out, 6th of 10, 22l behind Sir Brastias (11-11) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, beaten when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Wiscalitus (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Orsus (FR) 17-2 (10-11) Held up in touch, headway to chase leading pair after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, closed on winner between last 2, strong challenge flat, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Jupon Vert (11-9) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Nimby Run (IRE) 15-2 (9-10) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, 7 lengths clear 2 out, driven out, won at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs beating Wenger (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
