keen, tracked leader and clear of rest, led after 3 out, narrowly headed next, every chance last, no extra run-in, lost 2nd final 100 yards
jumped slowly 1st, always behind, tailed off 3 out
raced keenly, led and clear of rest with rival, hit 2nd, reduced lead when hit 7th, headed after next, weakened before 2 out
not fluent, raced in 4th behind clear leading pair, mistake 6th, closer in 3rd on long run before 2 out, every chance when mistake and pecked 2 out, went 2nd last 100 yards, well held
raced keenly, held up off the pace in 5th, hit 3 out and pushed along, went modest 4th 2 out, ridden between last 2, blundered last
always in rear, hit 3rd, outpaced 5th, mistake next, tailed off
tracked clear leading pair, smooth headway and closed to lead narrowly 2 out, pushed clear run-in, eased towards finish
Winning bumper DANDOLO DU GITE made all for a comfortable victory at Stratford last month and though dropping down in trip should be capable of defying a penalty before heading for better things. Earlofthecotswolds won a bumper here in September before tackling a much better event at Cheltenham and has a smart pedigree for jumping. Olly Murphy saddles two former point-to-pointers in Newlands Cross, who finished tailed off on his hurdling debut at Newbury, and Seemingly So, who makes his debut under Rules. Buachaill Beag was clear when running out at Towcester in May but ran poorly at Huntingdon last time.
Dandolo Du Gite (FR) 4-7fav (11-6) Made all, jumped right, well clear 4th until after 3 out, ridden approaching last, unchallenged, won at Stratford 2m 6f mdn (5) gd in Oct beating Keel Over (11-6) by 4l, 8 ran.
Armattiekan (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased winner until 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 36 1/4l behind Tel'art (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f (5) gd in Oct.
Buachaill Beag 66-1 (10-12) Led and going ok when fell heavily 3 out, at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Earlofthecotswolds (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, every chance over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, 6th of 13, 12l behind Strong Glance (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gs in Oct.
Imperial Elixir (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 15, 14 1/2l behind Colonel Custard (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (5) gd in May.
Newlands Cross (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Led until before 3rd, chased leader until before 4 out, weakened rapidly, tailed off next, last of 16, dist behind Ecu De La Noverie (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Seemingly So (IRE) 5-1 (12-2) Ww twrds rr, 8th 1/2way, prog in 4th bef 2out, went 2nd early straight bt no ch with easy wnr, ko flat, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Dlauro (12-2) at Belharbour 3m mdn Yielding - Soft in Feb.
