chased leaders, blundered and lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
led to 7th, remained in touch, reminders 10th, upsides 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, behind when pulled up before last
mid-division, reminder 2nd, outpaced 3 out, plugged on from next, never on terms
behind, hampered 6th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division on inside, hit 2nd, weakened 3 out
mid-division on outside, dropped to rear and reminders 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
held up towards rear when fell 6th
behind, blundered and almost unseated rider 7th, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd last, never reached leaders
tracked leader, led 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 3rd last, weakened flat
always prominent, driven and effort after 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, no impression flat
held up in rear, steady headway 9th, led going well approaching 2 out, stayed on well
Flying Squad is a couple of pounds out of the handicap but that should prove no problem for the in-form seven-year-old, who was having only his third start over fences when scoring comfortably over this trip at Fakenham on New Year's Day. But another lightweight, BALLYEGAN, made the gambled-on Sultan Fontenaille pull out all the stops at Taunton recently and this winning point-to-pointer is progressing well enough to go one better. Camden George has dropped to a very lowly mark and can get involved but Mohi Rahrere is up 10lb for his victory at Uttoxeter in October and will find this tougher. Andrew Nick needs a thorough test of stamina and has an absence to overcome while Afistfullofpebbles looked badly in need of the run when pulling up a couple of weeks ago at Ffos Las and the handicapper may have him in his grip, a remark that also applies to Vodka Brook.
Vodka Brook (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 9f out, weakened 7f out, 11th of 14, 39l behind Recession Proof (11-0) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Kilbeggan Blade 33-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, pushed along 8th, behind from 11th, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Summery Justice (11-9) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Kawagino (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Held up towrds rear, blundered 13th, soon no impression, 5th of 14, 36l behind Minella Boys (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Afistfullofpebbles 9-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along 13th, soon behind, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Royal Tune (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, fell 4th, in a race won by Bellflower Boy (11-3) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Andrew Nick (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, driven in 3rd after 14th, rallied to close down on leader approaching last, led flat, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun beating Winchester Red (11-11) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Wheels Up (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 10th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 12, 39l behind Royal Tune (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Mohi Rahrere (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, hampered 3rd, headway 8th, went 2nd next, led 2 out, edged right approaching last, all out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Oct beating In The Zone (11-8) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Camden George (IRE) 11-4fav (10-7) Pressed winner, not fluent 9th or 18th, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Belon Gale (11-12) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Ballyegan (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Behind, good headway 12th, chased leaders 4 out, 2nd bypassing ommited 3 out, challenged and hit last, rider dropped whip flat, pushed along and rallied to 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Sultan Fontenaille (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Flying Squad (UAE) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up in rear but in touch, headway 12th, chased leaders 3 out, led after next, stayed on strongly, won at Fakenham 2m 5f Am hcp ch 0-100 (4) sft beating Oponce (10-1) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
