held up in touch, chased winner before 8th, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out
in rear, pushed along after 6th, tailed off and pulled up after 7th
tracked leaders, jumped right 5th, jumped slowly next, soon lost place, headway to go 3rd before 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, chased clear winner from 2 out, no impression
led to 2nd, chased winner until before 8th, outpaced before 10th, went 3rd before last, plugged on
tracked leaders, led 2nd, clear before 2 out, easily
Bene Lad has won over hurdles at this course and his recent narrow-margin defeat in a chase at Wetherby suggests he's up to winning off today's mark. Deuteronomy still looks too high in the weights, however, and Prosecco has done all his winning over shorter trips. Nelson Du Ronceray has claims with a recent comeback under his belt but Alexander Oats may need the outing and SIBENEK is fancied to reverse earlier running at this track with him. The latter is finally back on a winning mark after a recent pipe-opener at Carlisle and Martin Todhunter's chaser is at his best in testing ground.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 22-1 (11-1) In touch, close up 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Zafranagar (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Sibenek (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Held up, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 18l behind You Know Yourself (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Alexander Oats 20-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 13th, in 5th when blundered 6 out, kept on and went 3rd after last, no impression, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Garleton (9-13) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Prosecco (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Tracked leader, led 11th, driven and headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure, no impression flat, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Papa Caruso (9-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Et Maintenant (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, behind from 7th, weakened before 11th, 8th of 14, well behind Douglas Julian (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Deuteronomy (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) With leaders, led 4th, headed before 8th, led again 11th, ridden before last, headed flat, one pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Seize (11-1) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Bene Lad (IRE) 4-1 (10-3) Held up, challenged 2 out, every chance until no extra close home, 2nd of 10, ns behind Tyrone House (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
