led until 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
in touch, narrow advantage 2 out, soon ridden, headed run in, no extra
took keen hold in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, lost touch after 7th, pulled up before 9th
chased leaders until weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 5th, driven along from next, weakened before 7th, pulled up before 8th
mid-division, hit 7th, headway next, ridden to challenge 2 out, led flat, ridden out
mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened 9th
held up towards rear, steady headway from 8th, ridden and effort after 2 out, kept on same pace
pecked 1st, held up towards rear, headway 7th, joined leaders 9th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
took keen hold towards rear, steady progress from 9th, effort 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway after 3 out, weakened 8th
chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed before next, weakened
Leading Contender looks the one to be on, with Mole's Chamber, Noble Ben and Itsa Legend taken to give him most to do. Leading Contender was marked down as one to follow after landing his first two bumpers, and indeed was deemed good enough to run in the big one in that sphere at the Cheltenham Festival. However, it has to said that he was something of a disappointment on each of his first two outings over timber, finding one too good each time when sent off odds-on. He was subsequently sent for some intensive schooling that paid off as he looked much more the part when scoring at Chepstow, and looked to be crying out for today's trip of three miles when third at Wincanton last time. He is destined to go chasing, but now that the penny has dropped and we know that he stays, the Hobbs inmate should take the beating today. Mole's Chamber was well supported to land a Towcester bumper in November, but found the heavy going up the hill too much and faded. He is an interesting contender along with Noble Ben, who although brushed aside by Ship's Hill at Fakenham, is another that will relish the trip. Itsa legend is a slow, maturing chaser in the making, and in company with Just Poppytee, is one for the future, with preference much today for Leading Contender.
Warpath (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Led, ridden 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Armariver (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Leading Contender (IRE) 5-2 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Lord Sam (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Arpeggio Major (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up, weakened from 8th, 5th of 12, 35l behind Shrewd Investor (10-12) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Brave Paddy (IRE) Brave Act gelding, half-brother to Group 2 winning sprinter Princely Hush & winning jumper Knight's Emperor.
Dr Flight 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 9th of 17, 44l behind Portland Bill (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft.
Goldenhay Imposter Man Among Men gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Itsa Legend 3-1 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden after 8, no impression from next, left 4th at the last, 4th of 12, 19l behind Special Envoy (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Macstheman (IRE) 125-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Flight Leader (10-13) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
Mister Knight (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace after, 5th of 17, 27l behind Portland Bill (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft.
Mole's Chamber (IRE) 9-4fav (10-7) Keen, chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 4th of 9, 20l behind Bally Conn (11-0) at Towcester 2m nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Noble Ben (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Led 2nd, headed after 2 out, soon weakened, 2nd of 10, 21l behind Ship's Hill (11-5) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Romers Common 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 12, 45l behind Mount Sandel (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Just Poppytee 15-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, driven along 3 out, led 2 out, driven clear, won at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft beating Ring Back (11-4) by 8l, 6 ran.
Clover Green (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 6th, weakened approaching next, 6th of 16, well behind La Dame Brune (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
