chased (clear) winner, closed not fluent and lost 2nd 8th, pushed along and one pace when 2nd again 4 out until 2 out, weakened between last 2, hit last, hung left and dropped to 5th run-in
made all, clear 2nd until after next, clear when went left final 3, kept on strongly run-in, unchallenged
chased leading pair, 2nd 8th until blundered 4 out, chased leaders, outpaced before 2 out, went modest 4th run-in
took keen hold, held up last, hit 4th, not fluent next, closer order approaching 9th, 3rd 3 out, 2nd 2 out, no impression when dropped to 3rd last, one pace and no impression run-in
tracked leading trio, 3rd between last 2, 2nd at the last, kept on run-in but no real impression
Nonrunner
Chestnut Ben has come up short when tried in this grade in the past and is more exposed than the majority of these. Cody Wyoming has done well this winter but is probably high enough in the weights now and Paddy The Stout has crept back up the ratings despite not scoring in more than a year. Marie Des Anges was out on her feet when falling last time at Uttoxeter but should benefit dropping back in distance and can't be discounted. VILLAGE VIC (NAP) didn't really cope with the heavy going at Ffos Las last time and is better judged on his third to Kings Lad at Ascot. He would have a cracking chance on that form and could ensure that Crafty Roberto has to wait a bit longer to open his account over the larger obstacles.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 7th, outpaced next, well beaten before 3 out, 3rd of 4, 40l behind Big Water (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Village Vic (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden after 4 out, never on terms, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 8, 21l behind Foxbridge (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Crafty Roberto 7-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway before 6th, went 2nd approaching 4 out, every chance when mistake last, held by winner flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Ballycool (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Marie Des Anges (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Took keen hold, raced wide and held up in rear, mistake 8th, headway approaching 10th, 3rd after next, 2nd before 4 out, no chance with winner when blundered 4 out, weakened into 3rd when fell next, in a race won by Winston Churchill (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan, 5 ran.
Paddy The Stout (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, closed last, every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Pearls Legend (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Cody Wyoming 2-1fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, stayed on well, driven out, won at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Jan beating Pearls Legend (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
