prominent, reminders after 8th, not keen and lost place next, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, reminders 10th, losing touch when jumped slowly 12th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
hung right most of way, in rear, pushed along several times 1st circuit, mistake 2nd, closed 12th, led 4 out, drew clear approaching 2 out, lunged at last, ridden out
chased leaders, led and mistake 10th, headed next, led 12th to 4 out, still challenging 3 out, weakened approaching last, lost 2nd towards finish
led until blundered badly and unseated rider 6th
held up in rear, mistake 7th, went handy 9th, outpaced 3 out, took 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
ran in snatches, led 8th to 10th, led 11th to 12th, hanging left after 4 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
CRANK HILL is marginally preferred to Superrollercoaster and Thenameescapesme. The selection has flattered to deceive more often than not over fences but he's still relatively inexperienced at this game and should land a race of this nature in due course. He has a 7lb swing in his favour with Superrollercoaster following their clash over course and distance last month in which the Sherwood runner came out on top by just over a length whilst the application of cheekpieces may bring about some improvement. Thenameescapesme was given a break after disappointing at this track in November and has proved to be a fairly consistent performer albeit one that's awaiting his first win over fences. Blaze Ahead has struggled lately but he's a dual course winner who has slipped back down to a winning mark so he makes the short-list. Arceye was in good form this time last year but is another that has been struggling to engage top gear in recent times so it's not difficult to pass him over in favour of Crank Hill.
Superrollercoaster 8-1 (11-10) Sometimes jumped right, prominent, led 4th to 5th, remained handy, ridden after 4 out, stayed on under pressure to lead last, hung left flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Deep Pockets (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Red Scally 15-8fav (9-9) Prominent, mistake 2nd (water), jumped slowly 6th, dropped rear and jumped very slowly 7th, lost touch approaching 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by College Ace (11-8) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Crank Hill 7-2fav (10-8) Chased winner to 5th, remained in touch, hampered 10th, held between last 2, left with chance flat, held towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Superrollercoaster (10-6) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Chased winner, pushed along after 10th, hit 15th, lost 2nd next, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 4, 43l behind Pairc Na Gcapall (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Chimichurri (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, lost touch approaching 10th, mistake next, tailed off, 6th of 11, 47l behind Major Euro (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Green 'n' Gold 22-1 (10-10) Raced keenly, mid-division on outside, mistake 10th, headway next, lost place after 14th, still poor 7th 3 out, stayed on well last, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Deep Pockets (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Arceye 9-1 (10-8) In touch, reminders after 2nd, ridden 10th, beaten before 3 out, plugged on, 5th of 15, 14l behind Deep Pockets (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
The Walnut Tree (IRE) 150-1 (10-0) Already losing touch when not fluent 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Oiseau de Nuit (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp chs (0-135) (3) gs, 7 ran.
Thenameescapesme 10-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Illogical Hope (9-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Chorizo (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) In touch, blundered 12th, mistake 13th, weakening when left remote 2nd 3 out, 7th of 11, 22l behind Marufo (11-12) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
