always behind, never a factor, tailed off
shade keen, patiently ridden, headway into mid-division 6th, chased leaders 8th, 3rd travelling well when squeezed up 3 out, 2nd between last 2, led soon after last, stayed on and always doing enough run-in
raced wide in mid-division, awkward 2nd, weakened 9th, soon behind, tailed off
chased leaders, blundered 7th, jumped slowly 9th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along and every chance 3 out, driven and one pace in 4th before next, dropped to 5th last strides
held up towards rear, smooth headway approaching 13th, headway into 5th after 4 out, well held when stumbled badly 2 out, weakened
blundered 1st, held up in rear, blundered 12th, pushed along before 3 out, never a factor, pulled up before 2 out
led, hit 8th, headed 2 out, lost 2nd between last 2, 3rd and held when hung left run-in
chased leader, challenged from 4 out, led 2 out, mistake last, soon headed, kept on run-in, always just held
held up in touch in 5th, jumped right and mistake 11th and next, weakening when mistake 4 out, 7th and no chance when pecked 2 out
held up towards rear, steady headway before 3 out, hit 3 out and struggling, stayed on run-in and almost snatched 3rd last strides
Theo's Charm is one of those almost certain to handle conditions. He was fancied at Ascot last month but was brought down at the first and is still seeking a first win over fences. Perfect Pirate probably didn’t beat much at Towcester in November but was making his chasing bow that day and, lightly raced, should have plenty more to offer. Chef D'Equipe should be approaching peak fitness after three runs for Philip Hobbs and won on similar going at Auteuil in the summer while Little Jon continues to slip down the weights. MASTERPLAN was rallying close home when beaten under a length by The Tailgater at Doncaster on his reappearance. He’s only been raised a pound and has won off higher marks over hurdles so is still potentially well treated.
Theo's Charm (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-2) Held up, badly baulked and brought down 1st, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Chef D'Equipe (FR) 10-1 (11-11) In touch, headway to lead 17th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Pete The Feat (11-9) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Perfect Pirate 3-1 (11-1) Led until 4th, led next, headed 9th, not fluent when challenging 2 out, led flat, stayed on gamely, won at Towcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov beating Hogan's Height (11-1) by 2l, 7 ran.
Lord Ballim (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Held up in last pair, mistake 6th, struggling in 5th place when pulled up before 3 out, at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Little Jon 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 7th (water), mistake and weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 22 3/4l behind Gold Present (11-10) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Bekkensfirth 12-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, closer on inside approaching 4th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, mistake 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 31 3/4l behind Santini (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) sft in Dec.
Le Curieux (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Held up, slight mistake 1st, 11th after 5th, pushed along from 3 out, soon no danger, 11th of 14, dist behind Calino D'airy (11-12) at Galway 2m 2f sft in Oct.
Never Up (GER) 11-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Masterplan (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) With leader, led 4 out, mistake and headed 2 out, ridden after last, rallied to chase winner final 100 yards, held near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind The Tailgater (12-1) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Go West Young Man (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Led into start, in rear, slow 1st, not fluent 2nd, mistake 8th, losing touch 10th, soon behind, pulled up after, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Amber Gambler (GER) 5-1 (11-5) In rear, weakened 12th, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Play The Ace (11-10) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
