mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous
held up, outpaced 4 out, behind when fell next
led on disputed lead, until ridden and outpaced 4 out, mistake next, soon weakened
always behind
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place when mistake 11th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up before 2 out
hit 10th, always behind
in touch, driven and outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on to chase leading pair next, no impression
in touch, ridden and lost place after 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway to chase winner after 4 out, led briefly when mistake 2 out, kept on and every chance until no extra flat
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
led or disputed lead until went on after 4 out, headed briefly 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, 4th, unbeaten when not fluent last
A decent prize for the track and one where NOUN DE LA THINTE is taken to continue his good recent form with a fourth successive win, while Heavenly Chorus and Whimper are potential dangers. The selection has been well-placed to land a hat-trick, all over similar trips to today's. He goes well when there is cut in the ground, and although he was only a narrow winner last time when the going was good, he will be better suited today and can defy another 7lb rise. Heavenly Chorus, on the other hand, would prefer genuine good ground today. All her wins have come on a sound surface, so she may not be seen to best effect, but with the yard in form and this trip to suit she should get involved. Whimper was in the process of living up to his name when falling at Cheltenham last time, but he had shown some smart form in France when there was cut in the ground and there should be more to come from him today. Silmi acts in conditions and a 2lb rise for a good effort at Newbury in November is fair enough. He goes well enough when fresh and could emerge as a leading player. Rustarix could make his presence felt from today's mark, though the yard's form continues to be in-and-out and preference is for Noun De La Thinte.
Polar Gunner 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 3 out, headed next, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 9l behind Le Roi Rouge (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Supreme Duke (IRE) 11-2fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, hampered slightly 5 out, chased leaders next, went 3rd approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 15, 20l behind Watch My Back (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
Jump Jet (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Led to 2nd, led again 4th until approaching 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 13, 37l behind Doctor Pat (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Brave Rebellion 40-1 (10-0) Headway after 2 out, hung right and weakened from last, 4th of 5, 30l behind Money Trix (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (2) sft in Dec.
Rustarix (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 4th and ridden when blundered 13th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 14, 31l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Silmi 10-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th or 8th, headway when hampered 11th, mistake 4 out, close 3rd when hit 2 out, beaten after last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Rivaliste (11-4) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Forty Five (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Jumped right 1st, always in rear, 9th of 13, 30l behind Russian Flag (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
No Panic (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Mid-division, lost place 11th, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Bubble Boy (11-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Or d'Oudairies (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching last, 5th of 13, 20l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Ouste (FR) 8-1 (10-1) Always in rear, struggling and tailed off when pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Dontpaytheferryman (9-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov, 12 ran.
Whimper (FR) 11-1 (10-7) Mid-division, pushed along when fell 4 out, in a race won by Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Noun De La Thinte (FR) 11-4fav (10-4) Always prominent, led after 2 out, soon strongly pressed, in command close home, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating Shake The Barley (11-2) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Heavenly Chorus 16-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 7l behind My Arch (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
