held up towards rear, hampered badly 3rd, headway on outer 7th, led approaching 2 out when blundered badly and headed, kept on from last, took 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, hampered 3rd, chased leaders 7th, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, with leader 7th, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 8th, ridden after 2 out, led after last, stayed on strongly to clear run-in
tracked leader, led approaching 5th, pushed along 6th, headed 7th, ridden and weakened from 2 out
held up mid-division and keen, blundered 2nd, headway approaching 4 out, one pace from last
held up mid-division, headway approaching 8th, weakened from 4 out
in rear, good headway after 4 out, ridden and weakend before last
chased leaders and keen, led 7th, headed approaching 2 out, soon led again, ridden and headed after last, lost 2nd place when no extra towards finish
led and keen, headed approaching 5th, weakened before 8th
chased leader, fell 3rd
Blackpool Billy needs to brush up on his jumping but will be all the better for his 11-length second to Alfie Flits at Kelso. Heavenly Chorus was well handicapped when scoring over C&D last month but may struggle off a 9lb higher mark today, while the fitness of both Waterloo Road and Overbranch will have to be taken on trust. Grand Award couldn't oblige when well backed to land a lesser contest at Market Rasen in November and MONSIEUR JOURDAIN may have more scope over fences. After a couple of runs over further, Tim Easterby's five-year-old is back over the trip at which he won twice over hurdles and he looks well treated in his first handicap over the larger obstacles.
Blackpool Billy (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Jumped right throughout, took keen hold, led after 1st until 2nd, remained close up, ridden approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Alfie Flits (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Monsieur Jourdain (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) In touch, hit 8th, soon lost place and dropped rear, weakened 10th, 4th of 7, 20l behind Kellystown Lad (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Waterloo Road (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along approaching 5 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Classic Cut (10-11) at Catterick 3m 1f beg chase (4) gs in Mar.
Heavenly Chorus 7-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, led after last, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec beating Emotive (11-6) by 6l, 12 ran.
Petrosian 33-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, pushed along 7th, soon struggling, last of 6, 36l behind Mallusk (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Grand Award 9-4fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, challenged 3 out, a close 3rd when blundered badly last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Foxesbow (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Overbranch 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, brief effort under pressure before 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 26l behind Chicago Alley (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in May.
Peachey Moment (USA) 11-1 (10-6) Held up, not fluent 4th, headway 6th, close 3rd when fell next, in a race won by Primrose Time (10-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Earl Grez (FR) 66-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, pushed along 9th, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 26l behind Columbus Secret (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gd in Dec.
Lindseyfield Lodge (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, weakened from 5 out, 10th of 12, 42l behind Heavenly Chorus (11-0) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Little Wizard (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders and pulled hard, led after 1st, blundered 4 out, headed soon after, chasing leaders when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Too Cool To Fool (11-3) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs, 15 ran.
