towards rear, ridden 12th, never on terms
in touch, mistake 11th, ridden 16th, weakened 3 out, in 5th when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, lost place, headway 14th, ridden next, weakened and pulled up before 16th
held up, steady headway from 16th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, narrowly led last ran on
held up towards rear, headway 15th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened last
led 1st, mistake 9th, ridden to chase leaders 17th, weakened after 3 out
led 2nd, ridden after 3 out, narrowly headed last, faded
in touch, not fluent 6th, weakened and lost place 14th
towards rear, some headway 16th, kept on
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 14th, weakened next
towards rear and mistakes, some progress 16th, soon weakened
always in rear
tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, reminders 12th, weakening when mistake 18th
D'Argent gets the vote here with Mon Mome, Tana River and Ladalko heading a long list of dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating New Alco, he is sure to have come on for the run and under conditions that suit he is taken to continue his stables good form. Mon Mome rates the main danger on his latest second behind Halcon Genelardais but he is rising in the weights without winning and is taken on with this in mind. Tana River won well last time out when beating Simon but on a line through that horse he has a little to find with the principals. Ladalko has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but he continues to be beset by jumping problems. Hautclan looks on a handy mark and could improve for the fitting of first time blinkers so should be noted in the market but for the winner we return to D'Argent who looks progressive and is taken to defy the handicaper.
Sir Rembrandt (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Prominent, hit 6th, reminders after 9th, outpaced approaching 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Leading Man (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
D'Argent (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Prominent, led 4th until 6th, led again approaching 2 out, held on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Dec beating New Alco (10-5) by a shd, 15 ran.
Tana River (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Led to after 3rd, tracked leader, regained lead 11th, clear 18th, hard pressed from 3 out, in command flat, kept on gamely, won at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec beating Simon (10-13) by 2l, 11 ran.
Ladalko (FR) 10-3 (11-11) Raced wide, held up, smooth headway after 3 out, edged left and led approaching last, hung left and headed flat, stayed on under pressure, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Just Beth (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Mon Mome (FR) 14-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 16th, ridden when not fluent 4 out, chased winner before 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression, 2nd of 18, 4l behind Halcon Genelardais (11-3) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Kinburn (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, hit 12th, weakened after 15th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Halcon Genelardais (11-3) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Naunton Brook 12-1 (9-10) With leader, led after 6th, mistake 5 out, ridden and headed 3 out, jumped right 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 18, 16l behind Halcon Genelardais (11-3) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
L'Aventure (FR) 6-1 (10-3) Mid-division, mistake 7th, ridden and struggling after 12th, stayed on from 3 out, never near leaders, 7th of 18, 19l behind Halcon Genelardais (11-3) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Baron Windrush 14-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Kandjar D'allier (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Hautclan (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 15th, ridden approaching 3 out, faded from last, 4th of 14, 25l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Touch Closer 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden along from 7th, close up 4th when fell 5 out in race won by Pass Me By (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 11 ran.
Mr Dow Jones (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, driven along from 16th, lost touch 4 out, 4th of 7, 45l behind Latimer's Place (11-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Heltornic (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Led to 2nd, chased winner, mistake 12th, ridden to challenge 4 out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Irish Raptor (10-9) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Dec.
Strike Back (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, lost touch 3 out, behind when hampered last, 5th of 8, 24l behind Avitta (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Moorlands Again 11-1 (11-1) Led to 11th, outpaced approaching 15th, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 24l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
