in touch, hard ridden and no extra from 3 out
soon clear chasing leader, ridden and weakened before last
always behind and mistake 3 out
held up in mid-division, driven approaching, stayed on 2 out, under pressure between last 2, led narrowly last, driven clear
held up in rear, no chance when eased before last
behind, stayed on under pressure between last 2, but no danger
in touch until weakened and struggling from 5th
mid-division, ridden and stayed on under pressure approaching 2 out, took 2nd flat, no chance with winner
mid-division, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, weakened 3 out
led at good pace and soon clear with one other rival, ridden approaching 2 out, narrowly headed last, no extra flat
held up and behind, no impression after 3 out
held up, headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, pulled up before last
always behind, tailed off 3 out
chased clear leaders, still pressing leaders between last 2, weakened after last
No prizes for originality but, such is Martin Pipe's domination of this race in recent seasons, it is impossible to get away from the quartet of his runners that remain at the overnight stage from the multiple entry at the five-day stage. Korelo, the chosen mount of Tony McCoy, has to be the selection. Impressive when beating Chopneyev at Ascot on his handicap debut last month, the son of Cadoudal has been raised 13lbs for that success, but that seems fair and he is taken to follow up. Useful flat recruit Canada looks the best of Pipe's other runners and has to be respected of his light weight but the main danger to the selection may prove to be Nicky Henderson's Dancing Bay. Another useful ex-Flat horse, the son of Sauve Dancer has done little wrong since switched to the winter game and, with ground conditions to suit, he has every chance of what looks a decent mark for his handicap debut. Topweight Tikram looks plenty high enough in the handicap now, along with Hawadeth and Brooklyn's Gold, while Talarive may again have to settle for minor honours.
