towards rear, headway before 5th to go in touch, ridden before last, every chance run-in, kept on and held near finish
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, ridden soon after, weakened from 2 out
led, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, soon towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 2 out, headed after last, no extra run-in
in rear, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out, headway after 3 out to chase leaders, led after last, held on towards finish
PURE SCIENCE had winning form over hurdles before a successful chasing debut at Uttoxeter a year ago. He hasn't been seen since falling at Towcester late last November but could have a bit too much class for these. Ben Cee Pee M has won a bumper and scored five times over hurdles but he's a quick-ground specialist and won't have his conditions here. Aniknam is the youngest in the line-up and has more scope than any of these rivals so he's a threat while Cadore likes plenty of give so any further rain would aid his cause.
Aniknam (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, effort from 2 out, no impression, 6th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Superb Story (10-13) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Ben Cee Pee M (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance before last, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Cusheen Bridge (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Pure Science (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, hampered 1st, pushed along 7th, ridden next, 4 lengths 4th when fell 3 out, at Towcester 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Cadore (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and one pace before last, 4th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Turtle Watch (11-4) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gs in May.
Turtle Cask (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until jumped slowly and lost place 1st, mid-division, jumped slowly again 7th, slightly hampered next, pushed along in 5th before 3 out, plugged on into modest 4th between last two, 4th of 14, 29l behind Amuse Me (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Almost Gemini (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up 4th and last, left remote 3rd after 10th, tailed off when mistake 5 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 4, dist behind The Young Master (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Sep.
