in rear, reminders 5 out, ridden next, plugged on, never a threat
made all, ridden clear 2 out, eased towards finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th until until ridden 3 out, rallied to chase clear winner flat
close up, ridden to chase clear winner 3 out, pecked on landing at last, no extra and lost 2nd flat
not fluent, raced wide, tracked winner until 5th, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up approaching last
close up, pushed along and weakened 4 out, pulled up 2 out
towards rear, bad mistake 5th, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened approaching last
Leicester third Regal Blue has the most scope of these over fences and the going shouldn’t be a problem. Gallic Geordie likes the mud but is in the veteran stage now while Albert's Back hasn’t run over fences in almost four years and didn’t take to it first-time around. Ned Tanner has placed around here but all of his wins have come north of the border. HAPPY AND FINE has taken quickly to the larger obstacles and idled on the run-in when successful at Leicester. Only 3lb higher, he can get the better of Cerendipity, who looked one-paced off this mark at Doncaster.
Albert's Back 16-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression when fell 2 out, at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Happy And Fine (FR) 11-8fav (12-0) Made all, led narrowly, forged away after 3 out, ridden and reduced lead approaching last, stayed on gamely when challenged run-in, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Lord Of Kerak (12-1) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Regal Blue (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5th, ridden and dropped to close 4th after 4 out, kept on same pace, rallied run-in but held towards finish, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind The Edgar Wallace (11-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Ned Tanner (IRE) 85-40 (11-9) Jumped right towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 10th, at Ayr 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Cerendipity (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Jumped right at times, chased leader, led 4th, went right 9th, jumped slowly and headed 4 out, chased winner until after next, went right 2 out, ridden and no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Glory And Honour (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Arctic Ambition (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, progress before 2 out, weakened quickly after 2 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Dorking Cock (10-13) at Navan 2m 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Gallic Geordie 10-1 (11-8) Mid-division, went 4th after 8th, chased front pair from 4 out, ridden after 2 out and no extra, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Etalon (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
