tracked leaders, went 3rd from 2 out, jumped badly left last, no extra and lost 3rd place run-in
tracked leader, pushed along before 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, led before 3 out, kept on and headed towards finish
chased leaders, pushed along before 7th, soon tailed off
behind, headway before 3 out, kept on same pace and no impression
mid-division, weakened before 3 out
in rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, ridden before next, kept on to lead towards finish
tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, soon chased leaders, went 2nd from 8th, weakened from 3 out
held up behind, tailed off halfway, pulled up before 5 out
in touch, pushed along before 8th, kept on to take 3rd place run-in
in rear, ridden before 3 out, never a factor
Nonrunner
Minella Bliss is a consistent sort and last month's Bangor second seems sure to be thereabouts again. Stickleback and Flemi Two Toes probably have place claims but the former is still a maiden and the latter is an infrequent winner. Abricot De L'Oasis may do better in first-time blinkers but Bridal Suite is possibly more interesting in his first handicap having raced in decent company in novice hurdles so far. BASFORD BEN has never won over hurdles but has scored twice over fences and reverts to the smaller obstacles on his chase mark. He stays really well and, with the conditions likely to be testing, could just outlast these in the closing stages.
Abricot De L'Oasis (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Led, headed 5th, soon well behind, 11th of 14, well behind Hail The Brave (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Knockando 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, soon dropped into mid-division, weakened before 4 out, pulled up, in a race won by Teddy Tee (10-4) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Basford Ben 4-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden before last, no impression, 2nd of 7, 25l behind Master Rajeem (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Minella Bliss (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) Mid-division, headway 8th, led 4 out, ridden and hung right after 2 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Nordic Nymph (10-6) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Gwladys Street (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led 3rd to 5th, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, plugged on, 4th of 12, 16l behind Madam Lilibet (10-11) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Leanna Ban 33-1 (10-11) Always in rear, 9th of 14, 27l behind Hail The Brave (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders in 3rd, quickly lost place before 9th, pulled up, in a race won by Gibbstown (11-6) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy, 7 ran.
Stickleback 10-1 (10-12) In touch on outside, reminder after 7th, driven to chase leaders before 3 out, chance next, one pace when lost 3rd at last, no extra, 4th of 9, 12l behind Notonebuttwo (10-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Flemi Two Toes (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) With leader on inside, led before 8th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and lost place, no chance with front pair in clear 3rd from next, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Toot Sweet (11-7) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Mannered 6-1 (10-12) In touch, in 4th before 2 out, kept on and just held for 3rd place close home, 4th of 13, 8l behind Hurricane Ivan (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in May.
Miss Mohawk (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) In touch, jumped slowly and lost place 4th, rallied next, behind from 5 out, pulled up soon after 3 out, in a race won by It's Oscar (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Nalim (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) Mid-division, closed after 6th, fell 9th, in a race won by Le Grand Chene (11-3) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Blue Cove 22-1 (10-0) Held up behind in touch, took closer order halfway, ridden to chase leaders after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 24l behind Notonebuttwo (10-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Bridal Suite (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Chased leader until jumped left 5th, chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, 44l behind Desilvano (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Dec.
