held up towards rear on inside and keen, steady headway from 5th, ridden to chase winner before last, alwayd held run-in, lost 2nd place when no extra towards finish
close up, led approaching and headed 2 out, soon ridden, no extra when not fluent last
held up in rear, took keen hold, blundered 6th, headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, always well held
tracked leaders and keen, led 2 out, shaken up after last, easily
held up mid-division and keen, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear and keen, mistake 1st, jumped slow 3rd, tailed off from 3 out
held up mid-division, blundered 6th, weakened from 3 out
led and raced keen on outer, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, weakened from 3 out, never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out,
held up towards rear, jumped right throughout, dropped rear after 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders and keen, lost place from 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division on outer, not fluent 6th, weakened before 3 out
held up mid-division on inner, ridden and weakened before 2 out
With the Nicky Henderson yard in such outstanding form, BEAR'S AFFAIR will be a warm order under Tony McCoy. A stoutly bred son of Presenting, he did well to gain a debut success in a Uttoxeter bumper in October where he prevailed despite looking in need of the experience. Anything Paul Webber sends to these parts is worth noting and Ashammar is quickly reverted to hurdles after jumping poorly in two starts over fences. He won a novice hurdle at Sedgefield in September and can go well despite his penalty. Heron Bay is also penalised for his success in a maiden at Aintree in June. He's had 10 races since then but the majority have been in much stiffer company and he'll appreciate this less exacting test. Basford Bob, a winning bumper at Uttoxeter in November 2009, made a promising start over timber at Market Rasen a year later, only weakening at the last over that 2m3f trip which suggests he can go well over the minimum.
Ashammar (FR) 15-8 (11-0) Held up in rear, hit and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Alfie Flits (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Heron Bay 8-1 (10-1) Mid-division, ridden and lost place before 3 out, 10th of 12, 35l behind Mille Chief (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy.
Basford Bob (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) In touch and keen, chased leader from 3 out, ridden and hung right after 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 8l behind Attaglance (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Bear's Affair (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, good headway on wide outside over 4f out, led going well over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to assert and held on towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating Champion Court (11-7) by hd, 11 ran.
Lava Steps (USA) 50-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 41l behind Players Please (11-4) at Wetherby 2m mdn clm hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Sanctuary 12-1 (8-9) In touch, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 9l behind Franco Is My Name (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov (flat).
Smudger 14-1 (10-8) Took keen hold in mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 8th of 12, 50l behind Total Submission (11-4) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
The Quantum Kid 33-1 (10-11) Held up, always in rear, 11th of 14, well behind Outside The Box (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Warren Bank 12-1 (9-4) Led, headed 3f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 10l behind Cyril The Squirrel (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-55 (6) pol in Jul (flat).
Why So Serious 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 5th, soon behind, 17th of 18, well behind Andhaar (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Dispol Diva 33-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon headway, no impression, 5th of 11, 31l behind Dorabelle (11-3) at Wetherby 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
First Spirit 66-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, mistake 3 out, not much room and no impression between last 2, 5th of 11, 17l behind Break The Chain (10-12) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Just Lola 150-1 (10-3) With winner when jumped badly right 1st, chased leaders, weakened quickly from after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Silver Gypsy (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
St Enoder 100-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, effort 7f out, weakened over 4f out, 6th of 11, 43l behind Lightening Rod (10-11) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
