led 2nd, made rest, clear 14th, well in command when hit 3 out, unchallenged
chased leaders, slow jump and ridden 9th, headway and went 3rd 13th, ridden and no impression before 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 8th to 12th, weakened into 6th when blundered 14th, tailed off
prominent, ridden and lost place 5th, never travelling after, dropped to last 8, tailed off when pulled up after 13th
never travelling, in touch, ridden and struggling 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
mistakes, held up in rear, hit 10th, blundered next, headway into moderate 5th, ridden when blundered 4 out
soon chasing leaders, went 3rd approaching 3 out, challenged for 2nd from next until no extra flat
led to 2nd, chased winner to 8th, chased leaders, regained 2nd under pressure 12th, soon no chance with unchallenged winner
FREEZE UP is given the chance to confirm the impression that he made on his penultimate start. Prey Bird, Amoreigh and Ibberton rate the dangers. Freeze Up had won between the flags in Ireland and left the form that he had shown in three runs over hurdles behind when scoring cosily on his chase bow at Fontwell. He has a higher mark and faster ground to contend with having failed to follow up under a penalty just six days after that success but has been found a weak race. Ibberton has claims on the pick of his form but isn't easy to recommend having failed to complete the last twice whilst course and distance winners Strolling Vagabond and Touch Of Fate haven't shown enough of late to warrant support. Amoreigh has also scored over course and distance and rates one of the likelier dangers as he's pretty consistent in the main. Prey Bird won a Hunter Chase in the summer and wasn't disgraced on his handicap debut at Fontwell earlier in the month. He may come on a little for that outing but he'll need to if he's to lower the colours of Freeze Up.
Freeze Up (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Not always fluent, led until 14th, weakened quickly next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by The Ring (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Ibberton 16-1 (10-7) Always in rear, tailed off and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Teeming Rain (11-1) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd, 14 ran.
Eurocelt (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Prominent, jumped left 8th, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 10, well behind Tastes Like More (10-2) at Hereford 3m 2f sll hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Amoreigh (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Prominent, led 3rd until 7th, led after 11th until next, led 14th until 17th, close 2nd when blundered 4 out, weakened, 5th of 12, 38l behind Freeline Fury (11-4) at Chepstow 3m 2f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Pavarottis Brother (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, led 4th to 12th, driven after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Temoin (11-0) at Lingfield 3m beg chs (4) sft, 8 ran.
Prey Bird (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Close up in 4th, hit 11th and 14th, ridden before 3 out, soon one pace and no impression, 4th of 7, 8l behind Sesame Rambler (10-8) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Touch of Fate 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Nagam (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 9 ran.
Strolling Vagabond (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 13th, driven along after 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 14, 9l behind Push The Port (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
