held up, never in contention
mid-division, hampered 4th, headway 3 out, never on terms, stayed on same pace
prominent, hampered 4th, challenged next, lost place approaching 4 out
held up in rear, mistake 1st and 6th, headway approaching 4 out, no impression next
prominent, hampered and left in lead 4th, soon headed, hit 8th, lost place 3 out, no impression after
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, went 3rd last, stayed on, no impression on winner
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, every chance next, mistake 2 out, weakened flat
tracked leaders, led after 4th, jumped left 4 out, headed next, mistake next, no impression on winner, held on well for 2nd
held up in touch, closed 8th, led 3 out, clear after next, eased towards finish
led, jumped left, hit 2nd, fell 4th
held up in touch, hampered 4th, lost place 6th, no chance when refused and unseated rider 2 out
went left start and behind, well beaten 4 out
held up, headway from 6th, hit 8th, 4th and ridden approaching 4 out, no impression from after next, one pace
Nonrunner
This is almost certain to be run at a fast pace as several of these, including Santa's Son, Ultimate and Carrietau like to race prominently. Tara Royal has disappointed so far this season but is starting to look well handicapped while De Boitron is another racing off a favourable mark today. With a low weight, Kosta Brava could also figure and Lightening Rod couldn't be discounted if his Catterick mishap has left no ill-effects. James Reveley rides this course as well as anyone and looks to have a good chance of another winner on board WOODY WALLER. John Wade's gelding may have found one too good at Wetherby and Haydock this winter but still has a bit of scope and is already a winner here over hurdles
Silk Drum (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, lost place 7th, behind from next, tailed off when jumped right 2 out, 6th of 7, dis behind Charingworth (9-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) 15-2 (11-8) Tracked leading pair, outpaced 4 out, lost place when blundered next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Fiendish Flame (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Jan, 11 ran.
Santa's Son (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed 8th, 6th when fell 11th, in a race won by Tamarinbleu (11-12) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
Lightening Rod 2-1fav (11-0) Towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Shadrack (10-9) at Catterick 2m Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Ultimate 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 6th, ridden before 2 out, one pace from last, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Skint (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
De Boitron (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 10, 27l behind Quicuyo (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Gracchus (USA) 33-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th, closed 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged last, driven and no impression flat, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Marodima (10-13) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Woody Waller 9-2fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out until 3 out, went 2nd again 2 out, soon edged right, stayed on flat, no impression, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Storm Surge (9-7) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Tara Royal 10-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 10, 19l behind Quicuyo (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 33-1 (11-4) Carried left and led 1st, not that fluent after, headed 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Viva Colonia (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Jul, 16 ran.
Indian Groom (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Mid-division in touch, tracked leaders 8th, mistake 11th, challenged 4 out to before next, soon one pace, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Papa Caruso (9-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Safari Adventures (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Led, mistake 11th, headed 5 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, well behind Everaard (10-0) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Kosta Brava (FR) 12-1 (11-5) In rear, headway 5 out, kept on to chase leading pair from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Everaard (10-0) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Carrietau 33-1 (11-4) Led narrowly to after 4th, chased leader, lost place 7th, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 10, 37l behind Altan Khan (11-7) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
