jumped left, tracked leaders, disputing 3rd and outpaced when jumped badly left and unseated rider 2 out
always in rear, lost touch 5th, tailed off
behind when blundered 3rd, lost touch 5th, never dangerous
raced keenly, tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead again flat, held on near finish
held up mid-division, headway 4th, chased leaders 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, left 4th 2 out
in touch, went 2nd 7th, challenged 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, kept on, held near finish
mid-division, headway 4th, chased leaders when hit 4 out, left clear 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
Circassian finished over twenty lengths in front of Open De L'Isle at Wetherby and looks to have most to fear from Beggars Cap although Cebonne caught the eye at Catterick. Keith Reveley's runner, a half-brother to Exotic Dancer, didn't show a great deal in two starts at Auteuil in 2005 but travelled well for a long way at Catterick last month. He should come on for that run and was nibbled at in the market and is one to keep a close eye on here. However, on the bare form, it takes a stretch of the imagination to see him getting the better of Circassian who jumped fluently when getting the better of Bywell Beau at Wetherby. This useful hurdler should win more races over fences. Beggars Cap stepped up considerably on the form of his chase debut when filling third spot behind Gardasee at Sedgefield. The winner went on to finish second in the Arkle at Leopardstown but it won't pay to get too carried away with that form. Beggars Cap will win races, particularly when he learns to settle better, but Circassian is taken to get the upper hand on this occasion.
Circassian (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd approaching 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) gs in Dec beating Bywell Beau (11-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Anvil Point (IRE) 250-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Bold Ransom (10-7) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Astyanax (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Towards rear, struggling halfway, 10th of 11, 29l behind Tous Chez (11-2) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Beggars Cap (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, every chance approaching last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Gardasee (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Cebonne (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 8th, weakened 5 out, 5th of 12, well behind Wee Forbees (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Kempski 16-1 (10-2) Led until headed 1st and led again briefly approaching 7th, ridden and weakened from next, 8th of 14, well behind Tartan Snow (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Open de L'Isle (FR) 7-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, hit 4 out, soon ridden, weakened, 5th of 7, 23l behind Circassian (11-0) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Stand On Me 7-1 (10-10) Prominent, lost place approaching 5th, weakened approaching 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Toy Gun (10-5) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
