prominent and jumped left, reminders after 7th, outpaced 11th, weakened 4 out
keen, in touch until weakened 12th
mid-division, some headway 9th, weakened after next
led, hit 6th, clear 10th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, ran on last, no extra flat
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, tried to refuse and fell 4th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent to 7th, ridden approaching 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, headway 7th, bumped next, hampered by loose horse 10th, weakened next
held up, jumped big 1st, headway 5th, went 2nd 7th, outpaced 11th, rallied 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden out
In a competitive race, Kausse de Thaix gets the call over Ebony Light, El Hombre del Rio, Levallois and Headliner. Where to begin, well, Roberty Bob has been running pretty well from his current rating of late and can be given a chance. Paxford Jack is just a pound higher in the weights than when scoring over course and distance two runs ago, which gives him claims, while Levallois was a game second to the progressive Brave Spirit last time and, despite being raised five pounds for that run, also has to be considered. Ebony Light remains very competitive from his current mark and Tony McCoy rides, while El Hombre del Rio won from just a five-pound lower mark last time and, pretty talented on his day and with underfoot conditions that will suit, is also granted plenty of respect. The lightly-raced Martin Pipe runner, Headliner, won a messy race at Uttoxeter last time but is another that cannot be ruled out with further improvement likely, and Dalus Park has won over course and distance but can't quite get his head in front from his current mark. Ballybrophy remains well weighted on form of old but is struggling to recapture it, but Stand Easy seems to have lost his way of late. Finally, Kausse de Thaix looked progressive when stepped up in trip to win over course and distance last time and, despite a rise in the ratings, has to be afforded all due respect. It is that type of race really, but one to look forward to and one in which we will side with Kausse de Thaix.
Roberty Bob (IRE) 8-1 Soon close up, ridden 5 out, weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 28l behind Spinofski at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) hvy in Dec.
Paxford Jack 8-1 In touch, lost place from 9th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Ossmoses at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (D) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Levallois (IRE) 7-1 Held up mid-division, headway 13th, chased winner 3 out, ran on well flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Brave Spirit at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Jan.
Ebony Light (IRE) 11-4 Tracked leader to 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Broadbrook Lass at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (D) hvy in Jan.
El Hombre Del Rio (IRE) 8-1 Held up in touch, jumped right 6th, pushed along 5 out, rallied to lead last, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) hvy in Jan beating Coursing Run by 4l, 8 ran.
Headliner (IRE) 3-1jt-fav Held up, headway approaching 3 out, led last, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) hvy in Jan beating Alvaro by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dalus Park (IRE) 5-1 Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Recent Edition at Newcastle 3m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (E) sft in Jan.
Kausse de Thaix (FR) 9-2 Held up in touch, headway 8th, pecked 11th, led 3 out, ridden clear flat, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (F) gs in Jan beating Dun Locha Castle by 17l, 14 ran.
