held up, not fluent 6th, headway 15th, went 2nd 3 out, led after 2 out, headed approaching last, edged right flat, no extra towards finish
led until approaching 2nd, led 12th until 13th, led 16th, headed 4 out, led again before 3 out until after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on winner
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, outpaced 18th, rallied after 3 out, led and jumped right last, stayed on well
in touch, blundered badly 7th and lost place, closed approaching 12th, soon ridden and dropped rear, behind 17th
led before 2nd until 12th, led 13th until next, led again 16th until 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders on outside, mistake 6th, lost place 15th, fell 17th
tracked leaders, hit 10th and 17th, ridden after 3 out, no extra last
held up in rear, headway after 4 out, soon chasing leaders, edged right flat, stayed on same pace, almost got 2nd
held up, not fluent 5th, headway 10th, mistake 14th, 6th and well in touch when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 13th, ridden after 4 out, not much room on inside before 3 out, no extra last
held up in rear, reminders after 8th, mostly off bridle after, well beaten 3 out
KHACHATURIAN has been entered in a couple of high-profile handicap chases recently but denied a run by the weather. He looks well handicapped on the pick of his form as a novice and connections' patience could be rewarded today if these tricky fences don't get in the way. Take The Breeze has to give 19lb to the selection but ran well on his return to action at Ascot in October and should go close if fully wound-up. Eric's Charm was pulled up when Leading Contender finished third over C&D last month and Philip Hobbs' lightly-raced 10-year-old is another for the short-list, while Beat The Boys and Theatrical Moment could also figure if in the mood.
Take The Breeze (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Settled in mid-division, headway 4 out, soon tracking leaders, effort approaching 2 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Massini's Maguire (11-3) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Beat The Boys (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Mostly chased winner, hit 4th, lost 2nd 13th, stayed in 3rd until weakened 2 out, 7th of 16, 18l behind Midnight Chase (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Dec.
Eric's Charm (FR) 25-1 (11-12) In touch, lost place approaching 9th, headway after 11th, weakened approaching 13th, well tailed off 18th, pulled up after, in a race won by Nicto De Beauchene (10-7) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Theatrical Moment (USA) 8-1 (11-11) Always in rear, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Rustarix (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Aimigayle 16-1 (10-7) Chased leader, blundered 9th, lost 2nd 4 out, outpaced from next, rallied approaching last, kept on well run-in to take 2nd final 100 yards, 2nd of 16, 5l behind The Last Derby (10-3) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct '09.
Khachaturian (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, headed over 5f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Den of Iniquity (11-0) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (5yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Soulard (USA) 14-1 (10-8) Soon led, headed after 2nd, led again 9th, headed approaching 11th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 11, 48l behind Tatenen (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Burren Legend (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) Behind, hampered 12th, tailed off 17th, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Meanus Dandy (9-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Leading Contender (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 13th, mistake 16th, went 3rd 3 out, soon well held, 3rd of 13, 25l behind Nicto De Beauchene (10-7) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Jan.
Chief Yeoman 28-1 (9-9) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 19, 25l behind James De Vassy (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Free World (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, hit 11th, soon ridden, lost place next, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 10, 36l behind Polyfast (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
