mistake 7th, always behind
always prominent, keen early, went 2nd 7th, led 5 out, drew clear from 3 out
mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway 6th, weakened after 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
mistake 7th, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
towards rear before pulled up after 10th
in touch, mistake 5th, lost place after 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
mid-division, blundered badly 1st and rider lost iron briefly, headway 7th, mistake 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
held up, headway 10th, ridden and weakened approaching 5 out
mistake 6th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
mistake 3rd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
prominent, led 3rd until after 5th, jumped slowly and lost place next, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
led to 3rd, led again after 5th, headed 5 out, hit 4 out, soon beaten, regained moderate 2nd flat
held up, headway 9th, went 3rd after 11th, chased winner approaching 3 out, no impression, lost 2nd flat
soon prominent, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
Ours and Cusp have been raised 7lbs and 6lbs respectively for narrow defeats last time out but both remain capable of winning from their revised marks. Apollo Creed enters calculations but the vote goes to Sporting Rebel. He didn't appear to stay an extended two miles and six on his chase debut at Uttoxeter but there was a lot to like about that performance until his stamina gave way and this shorter trip can see him in a better light. Apollo Creed may well be able to leave his hurdling form behind over the larger obstacles and the market should guide in that respect but Ours and Cusp have stronger claims on the book. A couple of small errors made the difference between winning and losing for Ours at Towcester on his chase bow and he won't be long in going one better. Cusp is more exposed but has gone close from this sort of mark in the past and comes here on the back of a decent run. However, Victor Dartnall has his string in rude health at present and Sporting Rebel can add another winner to his tally.
Spike Jones (NZ) 22-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Obelix De Longechaux (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Sporting Rebel (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, led 10th, headed after 12th, not fluent 4 out, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 16, 15l behind Lazy But Lively (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Ours (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden 9th, headway 3 out, every chance flat, no extra, 2nd of 11, nk behind Elsie's Pride (11-3) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Running Lord (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) With leader, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 15, 7l behind Qualitair Pleasure (11-7) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Nov '05.
Femme D'avril (FR) 11-4fav (11-6) Towards rear, slightly hampered 2nd, chased leaders 8th, ridden 4 out, no extra from last, 4th of 8, 18l behind Adecco (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f cnd hcp chs (5) gf in Nov.
Cusp 11-4fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Marked Man (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Eggmount (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Alpha Gamble (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 5f amt hcp chs (5) gs, 12 ran.
Apollo Creed (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, in 3rd and held when blundered last, 4th of 10, 26l behind Border Fox (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Lonesome Boatman (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up, behind from 8th, 6th of 8, 34l behind Nonantais (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Nomad (FR) 66-1 (10-9) In rear, blundered 2nd, mistake 4th, weakening when mistake 12th, mistake 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Back On Line (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Tuesday Club (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, jumped right and mistake 2nd, struggling from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Mighty Moose (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
Ask The Umpire (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Prominent, weakened and hampered after 7th, hampered next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Lazy But Lively (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Aheadofhistime (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Always in rear, 7th of 16, 23l behind Never So Blue (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Opportunity Knocks 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until 11th, soon well behind, 4th of 9, well behind Kappelhoff (9-13) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Dec.
Arceye 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, reminders 10th, close up when fell at the 11th in race won by Molostiep (10-2) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 5 ran.
