disputed lead, went left and bumped 2nd, went left again and bumped next, outright 2nd soon after, jumped slowly 6th, led 4 out, over 1 length ahead but looking vulnerable when went left stumbled badly on landing and unseated rider 3 out
tracked leading trio, reminder after 9th, disputing 3rd 4 out, soon ridden and beaten in 4th, left poor 3rd 3 out, tailed off
led and soon clear, reduced lead 8th, headed 4 out, chased leader until pushed along before 3 out where left 2nd, ridden and no impression soon after next
took keen hold, held up in touch in 5th when fell 4th
sometimes jumped left and right, disputing 2nd when went left and almost unseated rider 1st, went right and bumped next and 3rd, settled in 3rd, went handy 2nd and travelling well when left in lead 3 out, in command next, stayed on well
held up in rear, badly hampered and unseated rider 4th
Duaiseoir made several attempts to down tools when a distant third at Towcester last time having refused in his two previous races. He looks one to swerve at present and Lamb's Cross has failed to complete in two of his last five starts over fences, though this represents a drop in grade. LOOKS LIKE SLIM was placed at Fakenham and Market Rasen in December and, though clearly no world-beater, has been dropped a couple of pounds since and shouldn't be far away as he was a much better hurdler than the admittedly less-exposed Shady Lane.
Duaiseoir (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Jumped badly left throughout and hesitant, chased winner until 2nd, chased leaders, mistake 10th, challenged and went left 3 out, pushed along one pace and no extra before next, 3rd of 4, 33l behind Headly's Bridge (11-5) at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs (4) gs.
Lamb's Cross 40-1 (10-10) Not fluent, always last, balooned 3rd, never any chance with leading duo, tailed off and eased before 4 out, 3rd of 4, well behind Desert Cry (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f grad ch (2) sft in Dec.
Looks Like Slim 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to join leader 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Barenger (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Shady Lane 8-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, soon in touch on inside, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, 6th and struggling when mistake 2 out, 6th of 14, 18l behind Swinging Hawk (10-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
General Ross (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Led 14-3 out; sn wknd, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Burtolli Boy (12-0) at Black Forest Lodge 3m ptp gd in Dec.
No No Cardinal (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Saint Breiz (10-9) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 15 ran.
