led until before 12th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up after
prominent until 7th, chased leaders, weakened approaching 11th, tailed off before next, soon pulled up
prominent, awkward 5th, mistake 13th, soon ridden, outpaced after 4 out, hampered and left 2nd next, 7 lengths down 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on gamely to lead close home
chased leaders on outside, fell 8th
in rear, mistake and reminder 7th, struggling when pulled up before next
held up in touch, took keen hold, closed 12th, upsides when mistake and left clear 3 out, 7 lengths ahead next, headed close home
held up, not fluent 5th or 10th, headway before 11th, led approaching next, joined when fell 3 out
KINGS APOLLO is back for more having won last year's renewal. He has since won at Taunton, where he beat Fine Parchment, and should be bang there at the finish once again. The latter has since run well for second at Fakenham while The Chuckmeister has slipped down the weights and appeared to have plenty left in the tank when falling over these fences back in May. Winston Churchill has a shout on his earlier win at Chepstow and Barton Gift would figure if repeating his third to West Of The Edge at Market Rasen on Boxing Day given the latter has gone in again since.
Fine Parchment (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Led, jumped right at times, ridden after 3 out, headed before last, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Halo Moon (12-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Kings Apollo 16-1 (11-1) Led, hit 1st, headed 13th, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 15l behind Willoughby Hedge (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Barton Gift 7-1 (10-4) Led to after 8th, tracked leader, led again 13th to 16th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 12, dist behind Lackamon (11-4) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
The Chuckmeister (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, fell 12th, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
Mad About The Boy 14-1 (10-12) Prominent, every chance 4 out, 3rd and no extra when mistake 3 out, 4th of 7, 17 1/2l behind Gallic Warrior (10-5) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Winston Churchill (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Led until after 9th, weakened 4 out, 4th and very tired when pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Tikkapick (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Prominent, outpaced after 4 out, 5th and still in touch when stumbled badly 3 out, weakened after, 6th of 13, 35 3/4l behind Badger Wood (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
