tracked leader, left in lead 2nd, headed 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, all out
led until blundered and unseated rider 2nd
mid-division, lost place 10th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway 12th, led 4 out, ridden approaching last, kept on until headed, no extra flat
chased leaders to 4 out, soon weakened
always behind
in touch, ridden and lost place 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
always behind
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, challenged next, upside and every chance when hit last, no extra flat
Cloudmor lines up at the top of his game and can score again, with Jimmys Duky, Marshall Hall and Spectrum Star all having it to do to stop him. The hat-trick looks a distinct possibility for Cloudmore judged on his past two successes over the course-and-distance, the latest of which came on Boxing Day. He only dead-heated last time, but would probably have been the clear-cut winner had he not made a mistake at the final flight, and as he appears better treated for this return to chasing, he is given the nod with his confidence not in doubt. Jimmys Duky carries least weight, but looks as though he could do with a clear round to revive his fortunes, while ex-Irish Marshall Hall seems to have stamina limitations based on his three outings for Ferdy Murphy and will do well to last home in the ground. Spectrum Star is yet another whose ability to stay the course is open to question, and so Cloudmor, back over fences again, can make the seamless transition, with little to beat.
Jardin de Beaulieu (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 5th, mistake 7th, weakened and pulled up 4 out in race won by Negus de Beaumont (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Cloudmor (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked leading pair, challenged 3 out, ridden and mistake last, kept on under pressure to join leader on line, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec deadheating with Nobodys Perfect (11-1), 6 ran.
Very Very Noble (IRE) 40-1 (9-13) Led to 7th, weakened and lost place 12th, beaten when pulled up 3 out in race won by Classic Capers (11-5) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Darnley 40-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 24l behind Fearless Foursome (11-3) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Marshall Hall (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from next, 5th of 13, 20l behind Quibble (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Bronson F'sure 50-1 (11-6) Tracked winner, led 3rd to 8th, lost place 10th, soon behind, 9th of 10, well behind Turnstile (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Quinntowin (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) In rear, weakened approaching 4 out, 8th of 15, 38l behind Roadworthy (10-9) at Ayr 2m cnd hcp hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Chukchi Country (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 7th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Jallastep (10-2) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Sept.
Spectrum Star 20-1 (11-0) Behind, hampered 3rd, left distance 4th at 15th, never dangerous, 4th of 12, well behind Lucky Nellerie (10-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft in Dec.
Jimmys Duky (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Mid-division, chased leaders 9th, 2 lengths down in 3rd and going well when fell 3 out in race won by Emerald Destiny (10-3) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
