towards rear, headway 5 out to chase leaders, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace
led to 4th, led again 2 out, kept on well
tracked leader, led 4th, headed 2 out, kept on
towards rear, tracked leaders halfway, outpaced from 5 out
towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway 5 out, kept on from 3 out
behind, hampered 1st, fell heavily 7th
tracked leaders, weakened from 12th
fell 1st
mid-division, lost place and in rear from halfway
in touch, ridden and outpaced before 3 out
Those towards the head of the weights have all been in somewhat desperate form on recent starts and it should prove best to look elsewhere. Mister Don has obvious claims as he rates a solid performer who usually runs his race, although he was arguably a little below par at Wetherby when last seen. His previous three starts read well though in the context of this contest and he should be involved in the shake-up. Stable companion Vinny Gambini is down to a pretty fair mark whilst Buckled, disappointing on his last three starts, has claims if recapturing the level of his Perth win in the summer. MISFITS has always looked more of a chaser than hurdler and Lucinda Russell has wasted little time in sending her charge over the larger obstacles. He's shown more than enough ability in three chasing starts to suggest he can go close here, especially as there should be far more to come from this lightly-raced sort over fences.
Apachee Prince (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up in rear and mistakes, weakened from 8th, tailed off, pulled up, at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Rolling Thunder (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Soon mid-division, reminders after 5th, weakened after 5 out, pulled up approaching next, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
St Johns Point (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, close 3rd when fell 2 out, at Taunton 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Misfits (IRE) 9-4 (10-11) Keen, held up, in touch, in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and switched right approaching last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 6 1/2l behind Susie Sheep (11-8) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Mister Don (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, pushed along after 5 out, one pace from 4 out, 4th of 6, 12 1/2l behind Two Smokin Barrels (10-11) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Buckled 9-1 (10-12) Always in rear, struggling from before 8 out, 5th of 7, 30l behind Jovial Joey (11-6) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Valentino's Choice (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led or disputed lead, slight mistake 2nd, headed 5 out and soon no extra, pulled up after next, at Tramore 2m 6f gd in Aug.
Vinny Gambini (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Jumped left 1st, in touch, ridden 4 out, not trouble leaders, 4th of 7, 35l behind Cabragh (10-13) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Wildest Dreams (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Always behind, pulled up, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Toreador (FR) 150-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, weakened after 6th, towards rear when tried to refuse 7th, soon pulled up, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
