mostly chased leader until 7th, ridden and struggling 10th, well behind 4 out, tailed off
prominent until blundered 5th (water), dropped to rear, hit next, never travelling after, tailed off
took keen hold early, held up, headway to chase winner 7th, blundered next, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, ridden to dispute 2 lengths 2nd when fell 3 out
chased leaders, challenged from 4 out, chased winner 3 out, ridden approaching last, held flat
held up in rear, blundered 8th, hit 11th, weakened before next
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, weakened from 3 out
made all, strongly pressed from 4 out, ridden and stayed on well, kept on well flat
Russian Flag is the percentage call and Honour's Dream is respected but a chance is taken with RATHMULEN. Russian Flag has found one too good the last twice and deserves to win one but the form is nothing out of the ordinary and he's going up in the weights to boot. Sea The Light was disappointing on his chase bow even allowing for the absence but this company is more realistic, Najca De Thaix and Captain Marlon are unpredictable but the former had Magot De Grugy a long way behind when winning at Warwick. Kikos has claims on the form he showed prior to his latest start and Honour's Dream is considered due to his trainer's record with chasers here rather than his own performances. Both of Henrietta Knight's runners are tried in headgear for the first time having failed to fulfil their early promise. Rathmulen did at least win a handicap on his chasing debut but he has disappointed on both subsequent starts. He has produced his best form on top of the ground and wore a tongue strap when winning so doesn't have an awful lot to commend him on the face of it. This isn't the strongest of races though and cheekpieces may just do the trick for Rathmulen.
Najca De Thaix (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 12, 31l behind Busy Isit (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Olmeto Collonges (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, blundered 2nd, remained in touch until after 10th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Wind Instrument (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Nemetan (10-13) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Honour's Dream (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, driven after 7th, no chance from 3 out, 4th of 7, 23l behind Gauvain (11-0) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Russian Flag (FR) 4-1jt-fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, went 2nd when hit last, hung right flat, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Laharna (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 11th, outpaced after 3 out, mistake and weakened last, 4th of 10, 19l behind Najca De Thaix (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Kikos (FR) 5-2fav (11-9) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 22l behind Whitewater Dash (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Rathmulen (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Led, jumped left 2nd and 4th, headed 11th, weakened and not fluent 3 out, 3rd of 4, well behind Firth Of Forth (10-13) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Sea The Light 16-1 (11-0) Held up, left 4th 3rd, disputed 2nd from 6th, propped on landing 8th, mistake next, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, lost 3rd approaching last, 4th of 5, 36l behind Doctor David (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
