held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, jumped badly right 1st, headway before 2 out, chased winner run-in, just held
held up in touch, one pace when badly hampered and unseated rider 2 out
made all, just held on
held up mid-division, weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened from 4 out, pulled up
held up towards rear and keen, soon tracked leaders, went 2nd before 5 out, kept on and no extra towards finish
in rear, good headway after 3 out, ridden after last, kept on same pace, went 4th towards finish
tracked winner, a close 4th and looking one pace when fell 2 out
soon in rear, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out
held up mid-division, kept on same pace, lost 4th towards finish
BIRDS OF PREY could be a smart recruit to hurdling and can give Paul Nicholls a double in the second division of this race. He was fourth in the November Handicap on his latest run on the Flat having won twice for John Oxx in Ireland. Envole Toi has won three times over fences in France but has not really sparkled in two runs in this country. Vards’ second at Chepstow has not been franked while Press Gang failed to win in 12 starts on the Flat, though was often placed and stays 2m.
Aclassagold (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 30 1/4l behind Zanza (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Birds Of Prey (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon held up in mid-division, smooth progress on inside over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 23, 1 3/4l behind Royal Line (9-8) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Colditz Castle (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, some headway over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 17, 19l behind Umndeni (10-11) at Warwick 2m (5) gs in Apr.
Envole Toi (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in last pair, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Watcombe Heights (12-0) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Espalion (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, closed 5th, lost place before 3 out, took modest 4th towards finish, 4th of 10, 11 3/4l behind Northern Bound (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Just Midas (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, slow 2nd, jumped right 4th, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Mac Tottie (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Le Ligerien (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, took keen hold, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 22 3/4l behind Collooney (11-2) at Huntingdon 1m 6f mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Nifty At Fifty (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Led into start, in rear, brought down 4th, at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Paxman (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, soon chasing leaders, hit 5th, every chance 3 out, weakened before last, 6th of 15, 26 1/4l behind Duke Of Kilcorral (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Press Gang 5-1 (9-13) Mid-division on inside, headway 3f out, led over 1f out, hung left and bumped runner up inside final furlong, headed close home, led again post, disqualified and placed 2nd, won at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Oct beating War Brigade (10-3) by shd, 16 ran.
Cooperess 25-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway entering final furlong, soon switched left, not able to get on terms, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Foxy Lady (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Oriental Flame 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division in touch, chased leaders 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, never pace to challenge, 7th of 19, 8l behind Hawthorn Cottage (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) gd in Apr.
Vards 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 1st, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 12l behind Zanza (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Nov.
