tracked leaders, went 2nd from 11th until 12th and again from 13th, shaken up to move upsides when fell 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 10th, headway 12th, hit 14th, jumped left 4 out, mistake 3 out, not fluent and weakened next
led until not fluent 3rd, mostly tracked leader, not fluent 4th, challenged 2 out, soon led, driven out flat, held on
mid-division on outside, not fluent 6th, struggling 13th, tailed off before 4 out
pressed leader, led 3rd, headed after 2 out, stayed on, just held
mid-division, not fluent when in rear 13th, tailed off before 4 out
held up in rear, some headway 4 out, never on terms, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division on inside, headway 12th, mistake next, not fluent 3 out, one pace and beaten next, no extra last
Considering the strength of the opposition, it was significant that smart staying hurdler AFRICAN GOLD was sent off joint favourite on his chasing bow at Cheltenham. He wasn't given a hard time once his chance had gone and he could yet make it to the top of the tree. Ballinahow Star may be the danger today after a promising first run over the larger obstacles here behind Distant Memories, though there are also chases to be won with winning hurdlers Sixty Something and Valid Point. Colonel Iain and Milborough look best of the rest.
African Gold (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) Tracked leading pair, effort on inside when hampered 3 out, soon outpaced, no chance with leading trio before next, 4th of 6, 27l behind Le Bec (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gd in Nov.
Colonel Iain 11-10 (12-0) Held up; led 3 out; v easy, won at Horseheath 3m ptp in Mar '12 beating Empire Builder (12-0) by 8l, 9 ran.
Milborough (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 12th of 20, 47l behind Thomas Crapper (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Nov.
Simply Charles (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, weakened before 5 out, 5th of 6, 44l behind Princely Player (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Sixty Something (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Always behind, 13th of 17, 39l behind Gevrey Chambertin (11-7) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Typical Oscar (IRE) 150-1 (11-2) Tracking leaders when mistake and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Just A Par (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov, 5 ran.
Valid Point (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, last 8th, mistake 3 out, headway on outside 2 out, went 2nd last, stayed on well, led last strides, won at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Nov beating Squire Trelawney (10-11) by hd, 16 ran.
Ballinahow Star (IRE) 5-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, hit 12th, challenging when dived at 3 out, soon led narrowly, headed before last, stayed on but held flat, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Definite Memories (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
