Tote Win: £1.10
Straight Forecast: £5.33 Exacta: £7.70

Jackpot: £17,686.13 carried forward to Fontwell Park, 6th Feb
Placepot: £1,485.50, Pool: £144991.95, 71.25 winning tickets
Quadpot: £729.90, Pool: £13218.27, 13.4 winning tickets

BINOCULAR won as easily as his odds suggested and it was mission accomplished for the reigning Champion Hurdler but he was not at his impressive best. Presumably, connections had left plenty to work on and he had so much in hand of his rivals that it was immaterial but he was far from his electric best over his hurdles. His jumping is usually a sign of his wellbeing but it would be wrong to be too critical of his performance in as uncompetitive race as this. He was slow at several flights and jumped out to the left at two or three flights but he did produce his best jump of the contest when ridden into the last by McCoy and thereafter coasted up the hill despite the close attendance of Ruthenoise who wasn't able to close the gap despite receiving every assistance from the saddle. Ruthenoise took the field along and was still in front jumping the last where she made quite a bad mistake - her only one of the contest - but she recovered to keep on well to the line. This was her best performance to date since arriving from France and, as a sister to Robin Des Bois, connections will be hopeful that there is more to come. Siberian Tiger had raced in third until making a slight mistake at the second last where he was passed by Binocular; this was a satisfactory return from the useful dual purpose performer who was making his debut for Evan Williams on his first run start finishing third in a valuable Flat handicap at Ascot in October. Dorabelle has been well placed to win four races confined to her own sex and should win more races at the right level but pulled far too hard here to do herself justice.