slow 1st, in rear, ridden along in 8th after 10th, headway to 4th before 13th, went 3rd 15th, mistake and weakened 17th, soon in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced in mid-division and off the pace, slow 11th, not on terms when hit 17th, weakened next, tailed off
soon chasing leader and clear of rest, led 11th and maintained strong pace, went right last, kept on under pressure flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 13th, modest 7th when blundered 17th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
well outpaced in rear, headway 13th, went 4th after 4 out, stayed on to to 3rd close home
mid-division and of the pace, ridden and struggling 12th, tailed off 15th, pulled up before next
well off the pace in rear, hit 7th, ridden along from 11th, headway and blundered 18th, stayed on from 4 out, went 5th before 2 out, stayed on flat to snatch 4th close home
chased leaders, not fluent 17th, went 2nd 18th, every chance when hit 3 out, hit next, no extra and held before last
led at strong pace, hit 3rd and 6th, narrowly headed 11th, chased winner, blundered 17th, lost 2nd next, no chance with leading duo before 2 out, weakened flat, lost 2 places close home
chased leading trio, mistake and lost 4th at 13th, weakened 18th, tailed off
Nonrunner
This looks a very tricky puzzle to solve, though Folkestone winner Only Vintage is probably worth opposing under top weight after a short break. The lightly-raced Diamond Brook looks certain to improve for his first attempt at this trip, as does Fontwell winner Royal Wedding, but it's only seven days since Dashing George was pulled up in a similar contest over C&D. Moleskin ran his best race so far over fences at Kempton last month, but Drybrook Bedouin, River Indus and Inthejungle may find this a little too competitive and Leac An Scail has rather lost his way lately. Leicester winner Antonius Caesar is still on a decent mark but this could be a reasonable opportunity for THEATRE DANCE to get back to winning ways. He was probably a little out of his depth at Ffos Las earlier this month but is now 8lb lower than when a staying-on third at Wincanton previously and will handle this soft ground better than most.
Only Vintage (USA) 25-1 (10-11) In touch, headway 5 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well flat, won at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Regal Heights (11-4) by 7l, 15 ran.
Diamond Brook (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Chased leader, lost 2nd 9th, soon behind, ridden and hit 13th, behind and no chance when mistake 4 out, plugged on again before last, 5th of 8, 7l behind The Giant Bolster (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gs in Jan.
Dashing George (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) In last pair, tailed off when pulled up before 16th, in a race won by Qhilimar (11-2) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs, 10 ran.
Royal Wedding 10-1 (11-9) Led until 4th, not fluent 7th, went 2nd 11th, challenged 3 out, led next, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Extra Bold (10-12) by 6l, 6 ran.
Theatre Dance (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, jumped left throughout, headway 12th, soon mid-division, lost place 15th, 7th of 11, 32l behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp chs (2) gs.
Moleskin (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Chased winner, close up and effort 5 out to before 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Rear Gunner (11-8) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Drybrook Bedouin 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders until slightly lost place 10th, rallied and stayed on approaching 3 out, went 2nd and blundered 2 out, went right last, closed on heavily eased winner towards finish, no real impression, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Sea Saffron (10-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, mistake and reminder 8th, lost place after 13th, no danger after, 5th of 11, 34l behind Far More Serious (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Antonius Caesar (FR) 13-2 (11-3) Made all, ridden after 2 out, pressed last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan beating Finlay (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
River Indus 20-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, under pressure 14th, staying on when left in 2nd 3 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 16l behind Rudinero (10-0) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Inthejungle (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Led until 2nd, pressed leader, chased winner from 14th, travelling well after 4 out, every chance from 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat, not quite get up, 2nd of 7, nk behind Tuskar Rock (11-2) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
