with leader, led 5th to 4 out, close 3rd when fell heavily 3 out
held up in rear, mistake 8th, headway 11th, never nearer
hampered and unseated 1st
in touch, led 4 out to 3 out, no chance with leader
always in rear, lost touch 8th, soon tailed off
steadied start, pulled hard in rear, not jump well, tailed off when jumped badly right 8th, pulled up quickly
always prominent, every chance 5 out, ridden and weakened 4 out, left poor 3rd and hampered 2 out
led to 5th, prominent until weakened approaching 5 out, tailed off
keen and prominent, mistake 11th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
keen, headway 4th, led on bit 3 out easily
Nycteos gets the confident vote here with Give Me Love and Chopneyev rating the main dangers. #The selection was a good second under similar conditions last time out behind Idole First. That horse has since reason well in a much better race under his penalty and the selection need only run up to that mark to win this. Give Me Love rates the main danger on his best form but he was let down by his jumping last time and with Christian Williams onboard he is readily opposed. Chopneyev is another that could go well on his best form but the suspicion is he will need the run after a 1082 day absence. Of the remainder Mythical King is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type and for the winner we return to Nycteos.
Alessandro Severo 25-1 (11-0) In touch to 5th, soon beaten, 12th of 13, well behind Ellway Prospect (10-5) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Chopneyev (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened 9th, tailed off when blundered 3 out, 22nd of 24, well behind Inching Closer (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar '03.
Give Me Love (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, in rear when unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Lustral Du Seuil (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (D) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Matthew Muroto (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Chased leader until blundered and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Even More (11-6) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 14 ran.
Mythical King (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Chased leader, lost touch 10th, never on terms, 4th of 10, 43l behind Racing Demon (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs.
Shuhood (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, joined leader 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Racing Demon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (C) gs in Nov.
Vanormix (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, mistake 9th, weakened after next, 7th of 13, 24l behind Roman Court (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Nycteos (FR) 5-4fav (10-9) Led at good pace, hit 7th, joined on bend well before 2 out, driven and headed approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Idole First (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chs (3) gs.
