mid-division, headway chasing leaders and hit 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 4th, went 2nd 6th, every chance when hit 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2
towards rear, hit 4 out, never on terms
raced out wide in mid-division, headway to lead 4th, made most after until narrowly headed before 2 out, pressed leader, awkward last, ridden and kept on gamely to lead again final 100 yards
chased leaders on inside, awkward 2 out, soon ridden, weakened between last 2
mid-division on inside, pushed along after 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
never travelled and always towards rear, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, good headway on outside chasing leaders before 6th, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 5th, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, ridden and rider unbalanced between last 2, 3rd and went between horses run-in, no extra last 100 yards
chased leader until before 4th, chased leaders and reminders soon after, weakened before 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway out wide chasing leaders before 2 out, ridden and weakened run-in
led until 4th, chased winner until 6th, soon ridden, weakened before 3 out, behind and pulled up before next
held up in last pair, good headway chasing leaders before 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden and joined run-in, headed and no extra towards finish
Few make any appeal on recent form and last year’s winner TACTICAL MANOEUVRE looks to have every chance of going in again. He followed last year’s victory with another success over these hurdles and is only 3lb higher today. Galactic Power finished runner-up at Ludlow last time looking to end a long losing run while Banana Joe placed between the flags in November and has switched yards subsequently. Milreu Has and That's Me area among the least exposed with the former having undergone wind surgery and the latter making his handicap debut.
St Lawrence Gap (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Midfield, mistake 4 out, dropped to rear 3 out, never dangerous, 14th of 15, dist behind Cremant (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Tactical Manoeuvre (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Mid-division, closer and tracked leaders 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out and soon held, 5th of 17, 14 3/4l behind Chinwag (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Milreu Has (FR) 9-2jfav (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, well held, 11th of 13, 29 1/2l behind Crack Du Ninian (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Russian Service 10-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, niggled along 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 33 3/4l behind Chinwag (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
That's Me (IRE) 100-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along 5th, soon struggling, 8th of 10, dist behind Glory And Honour (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Present Destiny (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Ridden handy, ridden in midfield 7th, lost ground rapidly 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
What A Baloo (IRE) 400-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, ridden home turn and tailed off, 8th of 14, dist behind Stellar Magic (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Youvebrokenmydream 40-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, fell 4 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Linguine (FR) 50-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, closer when switched right before 3 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 14, 17 1/2l behind One For Dunstan (10-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Banana Joe (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Lost plce 6; gd hdwy 12; went 2nd 4 out; ev ch 2 out; no ex flat, 2nd of 14, 3 3/4l behind Ballymac Boy (12-0) at Kimble 3m mdn gs in Nov.
Panatos (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Midfield, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 12, 16 1/2l behind All Good Things (11-2) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Galactic Power (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, stayed on past beaten horses when ridden before 3 out, rapid headway under pressure before 2 out, chased leader last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Mr Washington (11-7) at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Ifandabut (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Midfield, chased leaders before 4th, close up 6th, ridden after 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 14th of 16, dist behind Espressino (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Miss Harriett 25-1 (10-6) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, a little closer 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 17, 32 3/4l behind Kestrel Valley (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
