prominent early, held up, lost touch approaching 15th, tailed off
mainly always in rear, blundered 8th, tailed off 15th
prominent, chased leader 3rd until lost action approaching 8th, pushed along 14th, weakened next, tailed off
led, ridden after 4 out, headed when not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, left 2nd after 12th, led 2 out, stayed on
chased leader to 3rd, dropped rear after 6th, pushed along 12th, rallied next, went poor 3rd after 15th
prominent, chased leader approaching 8th, hit 12th, soon pulled up
Nonrunner
NELLIEDONETHAT races from a pound out of the handicap but is due to race from a 12lb higher mark in future. He's consequently preferred to the likes of Ice Bucket and Master Somerville. Misty Dancer ran well at Sandown in November but has disappointed twice since and is entering unknown territory over this trip but he's not too badly treated and the yard's in form. Western Whisky is having just his second run at around this trip and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that it could show him in a better light. Wizard Of Edge was in the process of running a fair race at Wincanton when brought down and cannot be dismissed whilst Brenin Cwmtudu won his bumper here and should be all the better for his initial experience of chasing at Chepstow. Ice Bucket has run a number of sound races in the face of some similar tests but has struggled to win so it seems a little harsh that he's been raised by 4lbs for another sound effort at Newbury. Milton Des Bieffes has run well at this track the last twice and therefore merits respect whilst Master Somerville made a winning return to the track at Wincanton but is up in both the trip and the weights. The selection has won four times over fences already this calendar year and was good value for his eleven length success over a decent yardstick at Musselburgh. He escapes a penalty so has an obvious chance and Nelliedonethat may be able to take it.
Master Somerville 10-1 (11-5) Prominent, led 4th, blundered 3 out, challenged when blundered again next, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Sandymac (10-7) by 4l, 11 ran.
Brenin Cwmtudu 10-1 (11-4) Held up, headway into 4th when pecked badly 12th, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Jaunty Journey (10-13) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Oct.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, challenged from 2 out, up sides after last, stayed on same pace and went 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 3-1fav (10-2) Chased leaders, chased winner approaching 15th, no real impression approaching 3 out, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Buck Mulligan (10-8) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Western Whisky (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Close up until lost place approaching 8th (5 out), struggling after, 5th of 12, 24l behind Pavillon Bleu (10-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Wizard of Edge 6-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, lost place and dropped to rear 9th, brought down 12th, in a race won by Master Overseer (10-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy, 7 ran.
Nelliedonethat (IRE) 5-2fav (10-11) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 5th, led approaching 13th, clear after 3 out, won at Musselburgh 3m cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Seize (11-3) by 11l, 8 ran.
Misty Dancer 25-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, lost place soon after 7th, tailed off 12th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Mount Oscar (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
