held up, jumped slowly 2nd, headway approaching 12th, went 2nd 14th, not fluent next, reached for 4 out, mistake 3 out, dropped to 3rd and no impression when mistake last, no extra flat
pressed leader, led 5th, jumped left 3 out and when clear 2 out, all out
in rear, headway 4th, not fluent 10th, not fluent and lost place next, closed 14th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 3rd and lost place, not fluent 7th, headway 10th, lost place again before 12th, not fluent and driven 18th, well beaten 3 out, stayed on well flat, went 3rd and gaining on leading pair towards finish
prominent, jumped slowly 4th, reminder before 13th, outpaced after 4 out, no impression when mistake next, mistake 2 out, plugged on
led until 5th, chased winner until 14th, reached for 4 out, mistake next, went 2nd before last, stayed on flat, closing towards finish
held up, headway 3rd, lost place after 12th, not fluent 15th, went 4th before 2 out, no impression, weakened flat
Nonrunner
Franklin Roosevelt has won four of his last five starts over fences but has been raised 10lb since his last success and this is easily his toughest task to date. Firm Order won at Kempton last month but also faces a stiff task at the weights in this while Fine Parchment has been an infrequent winner in recent years, though did score at Cartmel in May. TIME FOR SPRING won this last year off the same mark and was significantly well backed at Carlisle on his reappearance only to spoil his chance by refusing to settle. Hopefully, Richard Johnson will be able to anchor him today and he is fancied to win again as Shuil Royale's jumping can be a bit hit or miss. Gorgehous Lliege may have more to offer this season and looks the best of those nearer the foot of the weights.
Firm Order (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Reluctant to line up, patiently ridden and held up in rear, steady headway 14th, tracking leaders into straight, led bypassing omitted 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Oct beating Suburban Bay (11-0) by 9l, 11 ran.
Fine Parchment (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden 2 out, led final 120 yards, stayed on, won at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in May beating Iona Days (11-1) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Time For Spring (IRE) 11-8fav (11-8) Chased leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, soon no impression, 4th of 5, 8l behind Harouet (11-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Franklin Roosevelt (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 14th, led and went right next, clear when guessed at 4 out, eased run-in, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct beating Jayandbee (11-2) by 6l, 6 ran.
Shuil Royale (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, hit 7th, not fluent 12th, mistake and well beaten next, mistake 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 40l behind Goring One (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Gorgehous Lliege (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Led, headed 6th, led again after 8th, headed 13th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up, in a race won by Categorical (11-4) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar, 6 ran.
Lough Coi (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) In touch, driven after 4 out, disputing modest 4th 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Forest Walker (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Tafika 11-4fav (11-12) Held up, steady headway 9th, chased leaders 11th, went 2nd soon after 13th, ridden before 4 out, weakened 3 out, poor 5th when pulled up before next, in a race won by Jaunty Journey (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in May, 7 ran.
Venetian Lad 9-2 (11-6) In touch, jumped slow 9th, went poor 3rd before 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Kind Of Easy (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Oct.
