chased leaders until lost place after 5th, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
held up, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, 4th, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up, steady headway 6th, chased leader after 9th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, one pace
always prominent, jumped left, left 2nd 3 out, jumped left 2 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, hampered 5th, jumped slowly 6th, struggling from 7th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, driven along, reminders when fell 5th
held up, hampered 5th, some headway after 9th, never near leaders
held up in touch, chased leader after 5th until 8th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, struggling from 7th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
held up, in touch, went 2nd 8th, led approaching 3 out, clear, edged left from 2 out, stayed on well
chased leaders until 7th, tailed off after 9th
chased leader until after 5th, still prominent when hit 9th, soon ridden, weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, behind from 6th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
led, just headed when fell 3 out
held up, mistake 6th, never near leaders
Captain Corelli was a ready winner off a mark of 128 over fences at Haydock last month so the Phillip Hobbs-trained gelding has an obvious chance back over hurdles today racing off just 107 and gets the vote ahead of The Gangerman and Roman Rampage. The last mentioned overcame a long absence when landing a selling handicap at Fontwell earlier this month and has to be respected but this looks tougher and there is every chance that the 11-year-old may bounce so he may be best watched. Rudolf Rassendyll disappointed in a better race over fences at Sandown last time but does not appear to be particularly well treated back over timber. Martin Pipe's Kilty Storm is less exposed than most but the stable's horses are still yet to really hit a consistent vein of form, while Middleham Park has given little cause for optimism of late. The Gangerman has performed with credit in recent starts and is entitled to be thereabouts again but Captain Corelli looks to be well treated for his return to hurdles and he gets the vote.
Bobalong (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Led, blundered and headed 2nd, behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by The Duckpond (11-0) at Warwick 3m nov chs (D) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Middleham Park (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Prominent until weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 13, 31l behind Down's Folly (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Captain Corelli 13-2 (9-9) Held up, headway 12th, led 3 out, clear approaching last, ridden out, won at Haydock 3m hcp chs (B) sft in Dec beating Lord Transcend (11-12) by 20l, 8 ran.
The Gangerman (IRE) 7-2fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, chased leaders 4 out, plugged on, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Franco (10-4) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Dec.
Simonovski (USA) 66-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until 4th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, 41l behind Return Home (10-9) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl (4) sft.
Society Buck (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden approaching 6th, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 34l behind Jaunty Times (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
The Flyer (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Mid-division, reminders after 2nd, weakened after 8th, 6th of 15, 46l behind Moustique de L'Isle (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) hvy in Dec.
Montesino 100-1 (11-1) Behind, struggling 4th, tailed off 3 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Albarino (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Rudolf Rassendyll (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leading pair until blundered 12th, weakened 17th, soon well behind, 4th of 6, 49l behind Latimer's Place (11-7) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Dec.
Kilty Storm (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, mid-division, headway 4 out, no progress from over 2 out, 5th of 17, 22l behind Gallant Approach (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Baikaline (FR) 9-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 13th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Channahrlie (9-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Nov, 9 ran.
Celtic Major (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Not fluent, tracked leaders, effort 8th, blundered next, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 29l behind Miko de Beauchene (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) hvy in Nov.
Bright Green 25-1 (11-9) Pulled hard and chased leader, jumped left from 9th, ridden and weakening when jumped badly left 3 out, 5th of 7, 27l behind Regal Bandit (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Nov '04.
Hi Humpfree 13-2 (11-12) In touch, went prominent 5th until approaching 3 out, soon behind pulled up 3 out in race won by Hilarious (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Roman Rampage 7-1 (10-13) Held up, not fluent 3rd, ridden 7th, chased leader from 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy beating Darko Karim (10-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
