never travelled off the pace in last pair, mistake 10th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before the last
mid-division, headway chasing leaders when bad mistake 4 out, went 3rd run-in
prominent in chasing group, went 2nd 13th until next, chased leaders, weakened before 18th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear-division, headway chasing leaders before 10th, went 2nd after 3 out, led between last two, headed before the last, chased (clear) winner, plugged on, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before the last
towards rear on inside, jumped slowly 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 16th (water)
prominent in chasing group, went 2nd 4 out until after next, chased leaders, weakening when hit 2 out, plugged on
held up off the pace towards rear, steady headway tracking leaders 12th, went 2nd after 3 out, led before last, stayed on gamely
soon off the pace towards rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
mostly chased leader who went clear before 8th, hit 14th and lost 2nd briefly, lost 2nd 4 out, chased leaders, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out
led and went well clear before 8th, came back to the field when hit 2 out, headed between last two, weakened last
raced wide in last pair, tailed off 4 out, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out
in touch in chasing group until lost place 6th, towards rear when blundered 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
Final Nudge won a qualifier for this at Warwick and can confirm that form with fourth Sir Ivan, despite worse terms. Wandrin Star beat Dancing Shadow and Gwencily Berbas here in November in a first run following wind surgery. The second and third were then fourth and first respectively over further at Exeter and Kim Bailey’s gelding warrants close inspection again raised only 3lb. Aso’s second behind Blaklion at Haydock is working out well and the drop in distance will suit but easy Doncaster winner Indy Five is unlikely to get an uncontested lead here. Rolling Dylan looks vulnerable again but PRIME VENTURE isn’t badly treated if he can recapture last season’s form, which included a fifth in the Welsh Grand National, and will be a working man’s price.
Aso (FR) 5-2fav (11-9) Jumped left, handy on outside, went 2nd from 4 out, closed last, switched left flat, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Blaklion (10-7) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Sir Ivan 8-1 (11-4) Keen led, ridden and mistake when headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Final Nudge (10-12) at Warwick 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Wandrin Star (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd from 2 out, closed last, led flat, driven out, won at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Dancing Shadow (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Final Nudge (IRE) 9-2fav (10-12) In rear, headway 2 out, ridden and every chance run in, driven to lead towards finish, won at Warwick 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Fagan (11-2) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
The Kings Writ (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Led until 9th, weakened before 4 out, 5th of 8, dist behind L'Homme Presse (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Gwencily Berbas (FR) 25-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway after 17th, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating The Late Legend (10-13) by 9 1/2l, 17 ran.
Dashing Perk 16-1 (10-8) Prominent, led 4th, headed after next, lost place 4 out, weakened and pulled up before next, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Prime Venture (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, well beaten from 14th, pulled up before 3 out, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Rolling Dylan (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Raced keenly, chased leaders until lost place 10th, rallied 16th (water), hit 17th, left 2nd 3 out, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Bali Body (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Psychedelic Rock 25-1 (10-6) Mistake in rear on outside, well beaten 14th, pulled up before last, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Valadom (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 3rd, went clear at 8th, went left and not fluent 12th, blundered and headed 15th, lost 2nd next (water), chased leaders, 3rd and no impression before 2 out, 3rd of 8, 16 1/4l behind Bali Body (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Indy Five (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Made all, jumped well, shaken up before last, coasted home, unchallenged, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating No Comment (11-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Dancing Shadow (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Led until 4 out, held 2 out, dropped to 4th last, 4th of 17, 15l behind Gwencily Berbas (11-11) at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
